East Ord Mountain

Ord Mountain Route Network, CA

Info

Distance
2.9 mi
Elevation gain
2,100 ft
Route type
Loop
Duration
2 hr
Crux
Class 2
Quality
4/10

Peaks bagged

1
East Ord Mountain
DPS
Zdon
6,168 ft / Rise 1,488 ft

Report

The forecast for the Mojave Desert predicted uncharacteristically cool weather for May, so I decided seize the opportunity and visit the Ord Mountains – an area I had yet to explore – to climb its three namesake peaks: East Ord Mountain, Ord Mountain, and West Ord Mountain. The first peak of the day, East Ord Mountain, would be the most technical.

To get to the trailhead, I drove north on Camp Rock Road from Lucerne Valley and turned left near a pair of transmissions towers onto an unnamed road. I followed this road for about a mile before turning right at a fork, after which the road deteriorated significantly. I parked a few miles up the road in a flat, open area next an old concrete foundation, marked "Guzzler" on the USGS topo.

Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Starting along the road.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
From the road, I dropped into the drainage on the right.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Dryfall at the base of the drainage.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
View back from on top of the dryfall.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
The drainage gains 1,600 feet in just over a mile.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Sticking to the left side of the drainage to avoid boulder-hopping.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
The drainage splits at the pinnacle ahead.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Stay right at the pinnacle.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
View back.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Despite appearances, the terrain is pretty solid.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
A second split coming up. Again, stay right.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
The drainage never exceeds Class 2.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
View back. The snowcapped San Bernardino Mountains are visible on the horizon.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Approaching a saddle. The route heads through the notch visible top-right.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Veering right toward the notch.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
After passing through the notch, the summit comes into view.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
A convenient class 2 ramp leads to the summit.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
East Ord Mountain summit. View east.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
View west toward West Ord Mountain.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Starting my descent via East Ord's southeast ridge. The ascent drainage is below to the right.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Looking back up at East Ord Mountain.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Some cool basalt column formations.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Large outcrop, which I bypassed to the left.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Continuing down the ridge.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Contouring south to avoid going down an easternly ridge.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Another outcrop. This time, I climbed directly over it.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Steep and loose terrain on the final part of the ridge.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Almost at the bottom. My car is in the flat, sandy area ahead.
Trip report photo for East Ord Mountain
Back at the trailhead, one last look toward East Ord Mountain. The summit is out of view.

Nearby trips

Ord Mountain
Ord Mountain
5.2 mi1,900 ft2 hr
West Ord Mountain
West Ord Mountain
3.3 mi1,500 ft1.5 hr
Bertha Peak
Bertha Peak
7.5 mi1,400 ft2.5 hr