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Desert Waterfall an oasis near Apple Valley, CA
PCT above Deep Creek near Mojave River Dam
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You are here: Home : Hiking Last Updated on 05/02/1997    
RATINGS
Diff: Rating 4/10
Scenic: Rating 6/10
Tech: Rating 2/10
PCT above Deep Creek
         near Mojave River Dam
Location: High Desert, Mojave Desert, Southern California
Region: Ord Mountains, Near Hesperia & Apple Valley, California
Wilderness: None
Total Distance: 3 Mi
Season: Sept-April
Type: Out & Back


Hike added by
TractorUp
on 05/02/1997
Driving Directions
There are two apparently legal ways remaining to get to the dam area. The first is to take Main St. in Hesperia east and continue on it as it changes into Lake Arrowhead Rd. Continue south on Lake Arrowhead Rd to the dam on your left. You can park somewhere near here and walk onto the dam from there. Walk across the dam to the other side, make a right and head down a steep asphalt walkway. Make a left to an open flat area at the top of the large concrete spillway. Continue across this flat area to the PCT trailhead.

A second possible enterance is to continue on Lake Arrowhead Rd to Hwy 173, make a left towards Lake Arrowhead. Continue about 1 mile until the road turns into dirt. Park somewhere near here. Note: an National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park here. There is a PCT sign and trailhead right here. Follow the trail for about 2 miles to the top of the dam and continue on the hike. Note that going this way requires that you cross Deep Creek and this can be difficult, or at least get you wet, if there is a lot of water. There is a beaver dam that may aid in crossing.

The old way to get to the PCT trailhead is now blocked by large iron gates: Take Deep Creek Rd to Deep Creek spillway & park. Hike up asphalt, over a pile of rocks, make a left when you get down on other side and go to PCT trailhead.
Route
When you first hit the PCT on the side of the dam, it climbs fairly steeply. It climbs maybe 200 feet and then puts you on the side of the mountain on a trail that continues mostly flat for about 2 miles.
Details
Just a short hike on PCT one day. I think I actually started it at Hwy 173 though, because I know that I crossed Deep Creek at the beaver dam and I took some new rubber boots with me to try them out and they were jabbing me in the back the whole time. So, I'm pretty sure I started at Hwy 173 which adds maybe 1.5 miles onto the hike each way, maybe a little less. Nothing much very interesting to say.
Trail Condition
The Pacific Crest Trail here is in good condition as it winds its way along the side of the mountain. I have personally observed a rockfall along this section of the PCT as the mountain that the trail is carved into has very steep, easily eroded slopes. It has been especially bad since the Willow Fire. Although, growth since then may have helped to subside the erosion problem.
Pictures
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