Cuddeback Lake West

Located in the BLM's Red Mountain Sub Region, RM329 traverses the western edge of the sunbaked Cuddeback Dry Lake. The trail is a common place to test rigs on wide, hard-packed flats or play on nearby sandy trails that surround the lakebed. The trail connects Red Mountain 30 and Red Mountain 62, passing by several additional spur trails and sporadic joshua trees. The southern approach is a sandy, single-vehicle track with shallow sand whoops. The lakebed is hardpacked and fine clay when dry and suitable for any high clearance vehicle. However, users should be cautious of impending storms, as rain can quickly turn the hard clay into impassable, snotty mud. One small depression in the middle of the lake, called "The Pit," can retain water and be a dangerous place to get stuck without help, as there are no winch points.

Camping is a common occurrence around the edges of the lakebed, where you can find ample, flat ground suitable for any camp setup. Positioned between the towering Sierra Nevada and the San Bernardino Mountains, this is a perfect place to camp beneath an endless canopy of stars.

This area has a rich pop-culture history, having served as the backdrop for Madonna’s Frozen music video and scenes from the movie Holes.