Ord Mountain

Ord Mountain Route Network, CA

Info

Distance
5.2 mi
Elevation gain
1,900 ft
Route type
Out & back
Duration
2 hr
Crux
Class 1
Quality
3/10

Peaks bagged

1
Ord Mountain
Zdon
6,309 ft / Rise 3,249 ft

Report

After hiking East Ord Mountain earlier in the day, I set my sights on Ord Mountain, the range high point. From Lucerne Valley, I drove north on Camp Rock Road, keeping left at the junction with Troy Road. Five miles past the junction I turned left onto Pipe Line Road, where I encountered an obstacle in the road.

Trip report photo for Ord Mountain
Desert tortoise on Pipe Line Road.

It was a desert tortoise! For ten minutes, I patiently waited for him to move out of harm's way. When threatened, desert tortoises may void their bladders to deter potential predators, leading to death by dehydration. Therefore, it is important to refrain from handling these animals. Refer to this video by the National Park Service on the matter. Sadly, the Mojave desert tortoise population has fallen 90% since the 1980s largely due to habitat loss from human development.

I continued along Pipe Line Road for a couple miles before reaching a very steep and sandy hill that required 4WD and plenty of torque to climb. (It was a little sketchy, so I recommend bypassing Pipe Line Road altogether and staying on Camp Rock Road until it intersects with Ord Mountain Road to the north.) After some white-knuckled driving, I eventually reached Ord Mountain Road, where I turned left onto a service road. I followed this road south for another 0.8 miles and parked at a large pullout near a locked gate, where I was greeted by a party of OHVers.

Trip report photo for Ord Mountain
From the pullout, continuing along the service road by foot.
Trip report photo for Ord Mountain
Locked gate preventing vehicular access to the summit.
Trip report photo for Ord Mountain
The road steadily gains elevation.
Trip report photo for Ord Mountain
View back.
Trip report photo for Ord Mountain
Trip report photo for Ord Mountain
The road curves right to the saddle.
Trip report photo for Ord Mountain
Near the saddle, view back.
Trip report photo for Ord Mountain
After the saddle the summit comes into view.
Trip report photo for Ord Mountain
Trip report photo for Ord Mountain
Trip report photo for Ord Mountain
Helipad just below the summit.
Trip report photo for Ord Mountain
Ord Mountain Summit.
Trip report photo for Ord Mountain
View south.
Trip report photo for Ord Mountain
View southeast toward East Ord Mountain, climbed eariler in the day.

Nearby trips

East Ord Mountain
East Ord Mountain
2.9 mi2,100 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