Bradshaw Trail — Chiriaco Summit to Blythe via Mecca Hills Desert Crossing
1862 wagon road. Still earns respect.
William Bradshaw blazed this route in 1862 as a shortcut between the Colorado River and the California coast, and the Sonoran Desert hasn’t softened much since. The Bradshaw Trail runs from Chiriaco Summit near I-10 east across the Orocopia Mountains, through Mecca Hills, and drops to the Colorado River at Blythe — roughly 75 miles of washboard, sand traps, and rocky arroyos managed by the Bureau of Land Management’s Palm Springs Field Office. The hardest section comes through the Orocopia Mountain crossing, where the trail narrows to shelf road and loose decomposed granite requires careful throttle work. Watch the Freda Joshua Road junction — it’s easy to wander off-route without a GPS waypoint saved.
Moderate overall but demanding in summer heat, which is why October through April is the only sane window to run it. Surface temperatures can exceed 150°F on exposed rock in July — this trail has killed people who weren’t prepared. Carry a minimum of 4 gallons of water per person, a satellite communicator, and a full-size spare. Stock high-clearance 4WD can complete the route, but aired-down tires make the sand sections significantly more manageable. No permit required. Zero cell service across most of the route. Dispersed camping is allowed on BLM land throughout.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 75 mi / 120.7 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2700 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Blythe, CA |
| Land manager | BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Bradshaw Trail |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle the Bradshaw Trail?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner is the minimum you want out here. Aired-down tires (25–28 psi) are essential for the sand sections — a 2WD or crossover will get stuck.
When is the Bradshaw Trail actually passable?
October through April is the window. Summer temps regularly exceed 115°F in this corridor and have killed people — this is not an exaggeration. Flash flooding can also close sections without warning during monsoon season (July–September).
Do you need a permit to run the Bradshaw Trail?
No permit required. It's BLM land managed by the Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office. Dispersed camping is allowed; follow Leave No Trace and don't camp within 300 feet of water sources or the road.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The Mecca Hills section near the western end has loose rock, shelf road, and washouts that demand attention. Nothing extreme, but one bad line on a narrow ledge section could put you in trouble — take it slow and don't rush the descent.
How much fuel do I need and is there water anywhere on route?
There is zero water and zero services for the full 75 miles between Chiriaco Summit and Blythe — plan on carrying all your water and fuel. A 5-gallon fuel reserve on top of a full tank is the minimum; fuel up in Blythe or at the Chiriaco Summit truck stop before you roll.
Trail track
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