Barber Peak Loop Trail Will Show You A Completely New Side Of California
By Megan McDonald|Published May 02, 2020
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Megan McDonald
Author
Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of humu media, an Alaska-based digital media agency. She spends her free time traveling with her husband and daughter around the US and the world.
If you want to see a fascinating part of California, the Barber Peak Loop Trail loops through beautiful countryside in the Mojave Desert. Traversing around a tall peak and crazy rock formations, this trail takes you through blooming cacti and desert sand. You won’t want to miss all of the wonderful things to see on this intermediate trail.
The Mojave National Preserve is located inside the Mojave Desert and is the third-largest National Park in the contiguous United States.
It has amazing natural features, including unusual rock formations and rare plants. The climate ranges from summer averages of 90 degrees Fahrenheit to snow falling on the mountaintops in the winter.
This hike takes you through a very popular area, the Hole-In-The-Wall formations created out of lava.
Many people take the short Rings Trail to observe these cool rock formations and don't explore the greater area. The Barber Peak Loop Trail travels around the area, while still ending at the popular Hole-In-The-Wall formations.
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The trail starts out with some elevation gain, but not too much.
The entire hike will only climb 754 feet, and the majority of the trail is flat and easy to hike. Keep your eyes peeled for the trail signs, as they can be hard to spot. They're brown and easily blend into your surroundings.
You're also likely to run into lizards sunning themselves on the rocks, and you may spot raptors, crows, jays, or wrens, among other animals. Bulls are sometimes seen in the area, and jackrabbits may flit across the trail in front of you.
The entire trail is a 5.6-mile loop through the beautiful desert terrain.
You'll see Barber Peak, Table Mountain, and mesas and plains in the distance. At the end of your hike you'll meet up with the Ring Loop Trail, and get a close up view of the amazing Hole-In-The-Wall lava formations.
You can find a place to park at the end of the road, past the Hole-In-The-Wall information center. The trailhead is close by. The area is fairly remote, so you'll find plenty of parking when you drive in.
If you're looking for a fantastic way to spend a morning, check out this awesome trail.
