Weekend Adventure: Avawatz Peak & East Ord Mountain

Overview

Join us for a rugged weekend in the California desert as we tackle two prominent peaks off the Sierra Club's Desert Peaks Section list. This trip involves high-clearance 4WD access, dispersed camping, and two Class 2 summits with expansive views of the Mojave.

Actual hiking mileage and elevation gain will be determined by how far the vehicles can safely navigate the access roads. Refer to the specific route details on Adventure Frens for baseline stats.

• Dates: Friday – Sunday
• Difficulty: Class 2 (Scrambling/Off-trail)
• Capacity: Currently 3 people (Expandable if additional 4WD vehicles join)

Itinerary

Friday: Departure & Camp Setup

• 4:00 PM: Depart from the Summerlin area.
• Evening: Drive to the base of Avawatz Peak for dispersed camping.
• Note: There are no facilities (water/bathrooms) at the campsite. Please come prepared for self-sufficient desert camping.

Saturday: Avawatz Peak

• Objective: Avawatz Peak(peakbagger.com) (6,154')
• Estimated Duration: 9–11 hours.
• Terrain: Class 2.
• Evening: Break camp and head toward Barstow. We will stop in town for dinner before heading toward East Ord Mountain for our second night of dispersed camping.

Sunday: East Ord Mountain & Return

• Objective: East Ord Mountain(peakbagger.com) (6,068')
• Estimated Duration: 4–5 hours.
• Terrain: Class 2.
• Return: Expect to be back in Las Vegas by mid-to-late afternoon.

Logistics & Preparation

Food & Water

• Water: Bring all the water you need for 2+ days of hiking and camping. There is no water on-site.
• Friday Dinner: I'll stop somewhere along the way for food or pack a meal
• Saturday/Sunday Breakfast & Lunch: Provide your own trail-ready meals and snacks.
• Saturday Dinner: Group stop in Barstow, or bring your own meal if you prefer

Gear Recommendations

• Standard desert hiking kit (layers for cold desert nights and sun protection).
• Headlamp
• Full camping setup for dispersed sites.

Peak Information

• Avawatz Peak(peakbagger.com): A massive, isolated range with over 3,800 feet of prominence. Expect rugged desert terrain and incredible 360-degree views.
• East Ord Mountain(peakbagger.com): Located in the Ord Mountains north of Lucerne Valley, offering a shorter but high-quality Class 2 desert summit experience.

To participate in this outing, you must be a current, paid member of LVMC. You can obtain a membership via this link: https://lvmc.org/joinrenew . The fee is $20 per year for a family/roommates or $15 per year for an individual. Please contact your organizer if you have any questions.