Subaru XV Crosstrek on the Mojave Desert Joshua Tree Road
During Thanksgiving weekend, we took the Subaru XV Crosstrek out on the Mojave Desert Joshua Tree Road. The snow hadn’t hit the St. George, Utah area yet, so we had a dry and enjoyable ride on a rocky road.
It was a difficult drive to find, but now that we have a good map, it’s easier.
Once we got on Highway 91 (and avoided the Gunlock turnoff), we were able to turn at the sign.
There is no way our little Prius could have made it up the rocky inclines without scraping along the way, but the Crosstour made it up easily. The view was definitely worth the drive.
What the BLM map does NOT show you is the fact that the trail splits off several times, leading to roads that dead end at the APEX Mine property.
Here is the fork marked on Google Maps.
If you are heading south from Highway 91, make sure to take the LEFT fork, and you will head toward the Joshua Trees instead of the dead ends.
Although the views are gorgeous, many of the trees have been decimated by the wildfires that have swept over Southern Utah over these last few years. The sagebrush has grown back, but it will take decades for the Joshua Trees to recover.
This was a great easy drive to break in the Crosstrek and it felt good to get a little mud on our wheels.
By the way, there is spotty cell service on this trail, so make sure you download all of your maps BEFORE you turn off Highway 91.
Here is a video of the drive from October 2013. It appears they started at the south end of the trail and headed north, which is the opposite direction than we drove. You’ll see more Joshua Trees at the beginning of your drive that way, instead of at the end.