BL9489

BL9489 is a lightly used, Mojave Desert trail that climbs the lower Cady Mountains. It offers fantastic views of the Rodman and Newberry Mountains across the valley. It can be used as an easy connecting road between Hidden Valley Wash and BL8599, just west of the Mojave Trails National Monument, or can be run as an out-and-back into the monument. The section of trail that enters the monument east of 8599 is where you encounter soft, beach-like sand that will rob your vehicle of momentum as it slowly but continuously gains elevation, ascending nearly 1,200 feet in 5 miles. The track here ends at a small, young Joshua Tree patch 0.18 miles before the official trail ends. Just beyond this patch of trees, the trail descends an extremely steep and soft sand hill into a narrow canyon once used for copper mining. The hill is the only way back out of the canyon and is nearly impossible to climb without utilizing a winch, or traveling in a lightweight, sand-purpose vehicle such as a UTV. It is highly recommended not to attempt this sand hill.

The trail passes several small camping pullouts best suited for single-vehicle camping as the terrain is not very level and is covered in brush and cacti. However, near the end of the trail is a very large and level site that is good for groups and ground tents. Camping along this trail is very secluded and quite.

The trail is suitable for any high clearance 4wd vehicle.