Located a bit north of Joshua Tree, Amboy Crater is the remnant of a volcanic explosion some 80,000 years ago. And, it’s one helluva fun hike.
Once you park in the paved parking lot (where the only bathrooms are located), you set off towards the reddish black cone jutting out of the desert landscape. It’s easy to get there, as you simply walk along a particularly well-kept trail toward the only real feature of note.
But, once you get to the base of the cone, you start to climb some rocky terrain, which can be pretty danged slippery. The loose gravel and rocks can make getting up the hill a bit treacherous, so I would recommend a pair of trekking poles and some boots with decent grip. Why, yes, I would like to take a moment to recommend my Vasque Breeze 2.0 boots.
You COULD stick to walking around the inside of the crater, but honestly, if you are capable of doing so, keep on scrambling your way up until you’ve reached the top.
Once you reach the lip, you have earned the 360-degree view of the surrounding desert. Miles of desert view lie around the crater, with the Bullion and Bristol Mountains looming over the valley. There are also a few scattered reminders of humanity dotting the landscape.
Alas, there is little in the way of nourishment in the surrounding area, so make sure to take some snacks for the road on top of your favorite light trail snacks. As always, take your wrappers with you and stick to the Leave No Trace principles.
