May 7, 2013 - Teutonia Peak Trail

Title: May 7, 2013 - Teutonia Peak Trail

Trail head: North of Cina

Hike Info:

Trail: Teutonia Peak Trail

Destination: Teutonia Peak

Distance:  3.15

Travel Time: 1:50 (1.72 mph)

Moving Time: 1:30 (2.10 mph)

Elevation Rise: 615'

Maximum Elevation: 5.750'

Description:

This trail is in the middle of no place. For awhile, Sherri was wondering if anybody had ever been out here. Well we sort of knew that somebody had been since there was a paved road. But we had driven about 45 minutes without seeing anybody. Then we saw a few maintenance trucks, and then the town, and I say that loosely, of Cina-we did not see anybody in Cina, just some buildings. Finally we started going through a forest of Joshua Trees, which included a memorial of the VFW-the Mojave Veterans Memorial. But we finally find the trailhead.

There are several signs explaining the area and the trail. Before we take off, an RV pulls into the parking area. Out pops a couple of kids playing cowboys. Their Mom and Dad are not too far behind.

The first half of the trail is pretty flat. But we are surrounded by Joshua Trees all the through this section. According to the NPS site, we are passing through the world largest Joshua Tree forest in the world. Sounds impressive, and these tree are—at least to those of us who are not used to these sights.

Dirt roads criss-cross area and the trail. We go on and off of them. Evidently there is still some mining going on in the area and these roads help service the mines. To us, they seem a bit confusing, so we wonder if we are on the right road or did we miss the path someplace. But eventually we find the trail and are heading off in the right direction.

After a short ways from the roads, we start climbing up the ridge. Not a steep climb. But, being in the desert, even in May, things are warming up in the afternoon. Once we top the ridge, we enjoy seeing the desert to the west and east and north. The trail continues up the ridge on the west side towards the south.

We come to the end of the trail about 50-70' short of the summit. There are big boulders blocking an easy trip to the summit. Still, we are able to get a view, looking out in the distance. An enjoyable time we spend on top.

The return trip is just a repeat of the trip up. We do meet our RV family. They are from Switzerland, touring the US. Interesting that a family coming so far would enjoy this trail while most people along I-15 do not even know this area is here.