Explanation of maps
The Mojave Road Recreation Trail runs from the east (in southern Nevada on the Colorado River opposite Fort Mojave) to the west (Camp Cady) along the line marked with stars on this large map of the East Mojave Desert. The small rectangles on this map show the location of the detailed maps that are referenced on pages of this guide. The narrative is arranged by mileage along the road, beginning at Mile 0.0 on the Colorado River, and ending 138.8 miles to the west at Camp Cady. References to detailed maps are inserted into the text so that each map precedes the section of narrative with which it is associated. Following are symbols used on detailed maps.

Variations in elevation along the trail
The significant changes in elevation experienced as you pass over the Mojave Road is one of the major features of the trail. At Mile 0.0 you are at an elevation of less than 500 feet. In Round Valley in the Mid Hills Region you are over 5,000 feet. This change takes you through the entire spectrum of Mojave Desert flora and fauna. Rainfall is heavier and temperatures are cooler at the higher elevations, and hence there is more vegetation at higher elevations. Keep in mind that it can be extremely cold (snow is not uncommon) at high elevations in the winter and extremely hot (dangerously hot!) at low elevations in the summer. Below is a table of selected elevations at key points along the Mojave Trail.

Mile Point on the Trail Elevation
(feet)

0.0

 Colorado River

490

11.1

 Forks of the Road

2,640

14.3

 Intersection with U.S. Highway 95

2,260

23.5

 Fort Piute

2,800

31.4

 Top of Piute Mountain

3,580

41.9

 Intersection with Ivanpah-Goffs Road

4,080

50.5

 Rock Spring

4,800

52.6

 Government Holes

5,040

54.8

 Head of Cedar Canyon (high point)

5,167

62.6

 Intersection with Kelso-Cima Road

3,725

70.8

 Marl Springs

3,900

74.3

 Mail Box

4,320

79.2

 Intersection -- Aiken Cinder Mine Road

3,190

85.8

 Intersection with Kelbaker Road

2,200

88.0

 Seventeenmile Point

2,000

96.7

 Volunteer Gate

940

97.1

 to 102.4 - Crossing Soda Lake

930

102.4

 The Granites

930

104.5

 Intersection with Rasor Road

1,020

106.7

 Shaw Pass

1,170
108.4 Eastern Edge of Floodplain

1,080

114.0

 Intersection with Basin Road

1,190

120.0

 The Caves in Afton Canyon

1,360

121.4

 BLM Afton Canyon Campground

1,440

128.9

 Intersection with Field Road

1,540

129.7

 The Triangles

1,590

134.0

 Intersection with Manix Wash Road

1,630

138.8

 Camp Cady

1,680

first section