Monsoon Recovery and Operations

 

Mojave National Preserve staff remind everyone to travel the road system carefully and slowly and to Drive Like A Tortoise(TM) to protect human life and wildlife.

NPS Photo

Monsoonal storms are a natural occurrence in the desert. The rapid introduction of so much rain in a short amount of time to the dry, arid environment, caused flash floods on August 25, 2022. These flash floods severely impacted many of the preserve’s paved roads, covering them in mud and debris. Parts of some roads in desert washes sustained more water related damage such as undercutting and in one place a complete washout.

 

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The heavy rains washed out portions of Black Canyon Road and covered South Kelbaker Road with rocks, sand, and debris.
On the afternoon of Thursday, Aug. 25, over 2 inches of rain fell on the Hole-in-the-Wall area. The rains washed-out multiple portions of Black Canyon Road and severed access to the Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center and Campground. National Park Service (NPS) road crews made temporary repairs to the campground access road which allowed a group of stranded campers to depart the preserve safely.

Cima Road, Kelso Cima Road, Kelbaker Road, Ivanpah Road, Morning Star Road, Essex Road, Black Canyon Road, and the Mojave Road were closed for public safety. The Mojave Road, a historic trans-desert pathway and now a dirt road, was impassable across Soda Lake due to standing water and deep mud that would strand even four-wheel drive vehicles.

Travelers should not bypass road closures, even if GPS mapping services indicate that roads may be open. Do not drive into flooded areas, turn around, don’t drown. One vehicle was trapped in a wash on North Kelbaker, and though the occupants were not injured, the vehicle had to be abandoned.

Abundant rain and mild temperatures have transformed the normally dry landscape to bright green with new foliage. Wildlife sightings have also become a regular occurrence, particularly desert tortoise and bighorn sheep. Desert tortoises move out of their burrows to seek food and water in these conditions and can often be seen on roads after rain.

We ask all travelers to Drive Like A Tortoise^TM so that everyone can get to their destination safely, including wildlife. 

Check back on this page and use the links to the right to learn more about the ongoing status of road conditions within Mojave National Preserve boundaries. For resident and inholder inquiries regarding roads and access, please call 760-252-6100 or email us.