Bradshaw Trail

William Bradshaw blazed this freight route in 1862 to transport goods from Los Angeles to the Colorado River goldfields, creating what became the main supply line for Arizona mining camps before the railroad arrived. The 100-mile trail crosses some of California’s most remote desert, winding through the Chuckwalla Mountains and Palo Verde Valley past abandoned mining camps, old wells, and scattered remnants of the freight wagons that once rumbled across this desolate landscape.

This moderate route requires high-clearance 4WD and desert preparation — carry extra water, food, and emergency gear as you’ll be completely on your own for hours at a stretch. Best driven October through March when temperatures are tolerable, avoiding summer heat that can exceed 120°F. The trail offers authentic Old West history and pristine desert solitude, with opportunities for dispersed camping among the Joshua trees and ancient petroglyphs that mark this forgotten corner of California.