Mojave Cross National Memorial

Standing 8 feet tall on a windswept granite outcrop, this white steel cross has sparked decades of legal battles over religious symbols on public land. The memorial honors fallen World War I veterans, though the original wooden cross erected in 1934 was replaced several times. Sunrise Rock offers commanding views across the Mojave Desert and is accessible via a moderate 1.3-mile round-trip hike from Cima Road.

The cross sits at 5,000 feet elevation where temperatures drop significantly from the desert floor. A rough dirt parking area marks the trailhead, with no facilities or signage beyond a basic trail marker. The hike gains about 300 feet over rocky terrain — boots recommended. Best visited in cooler months as the exposed granite can be scorching in summer.

Controversial WWI memorial cross with desert views