Desert View Conservation Area

Backside Cutoff via Spike's Run

2.4 mi · ▲ 245 ft · 55 min

Backside Cutoff via Spike's Run is a 2.4-mile out-and-back in Desert View Conservation Area near Joshua Tree, CA. It is mostly level, with 245 ft of elevation gain. It scores 59/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi3,186 – 3,379 ft2.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 34.11261, -116.29189
Nearest town Joshua Tree, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Backside Cutoff via Spike's Run

2.4 mi · ▲ 245 ft · 55 min

Elevation 3,187–3,381 ft

Out & Back · Desert View Conservation Area

Trailhead: 34.11261, -116.29189

Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 103°F / low 81° · precip 0% · wind 21 mph · sunrise 5:59 AM · sunset 7:46 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
  3. 0.3 miContinue straight onto Haggis, heading NE.
  4. 0.1 miBear right, heading E.
  5. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  6. 0.1 miBear left, heading E.
  7. 50 ftBear right, heading E.
  8. 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
  9. 0.1 miTurn left onto Backside Cutoff, heading N.
  10. 0.2 miSharp right onto Spike's Run, heading N.
  11. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  12. 300 ftReach Backside Cutoff, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  13. 350 ftSharp left onto Backside Cutoff, heading NW.
  14. 0.2 miTurn right, heading N.
  15. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SE.
  16. 0.1 miBear left, heading S.
  17. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  18. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
  19. 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
  20. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Haggis, heading W.
  21. 0.3 miTurn right, heading W.
  22. 500 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

1% dirt99% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 103°F81°
Feels like87°Precip0%Wind21 mphUV9Humidity13%
Hourly temperature
105°80°
Sunrise 5:59 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PMSunset 7:46 PM
Tue 102°80°
Wed 100°75°
Thu 103°80°
Fri 104°83°
Sat 105°84°
Sun 101°81°

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