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| Entering the wash on the Boy Scout Trail. |
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| Southern California Map. |
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| Driving Map. |
Overall Hiking Totals:
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| Hiking Map. |
Parking coordinates: 34.08261°N, -116.1909°W.
Summary
The Boy Scout trail goes from Indian Cove to Park Road inside of Joshua Tree National Park. Therefore, there is more than one way to get to Keys Peak. I do prefer the route from Indian Cove, though. |
| The canyon walls begin closing in. |
Not only is it fee free from that starting point, but the hike is more memorable. From Indian Cove, the trail slides into a wash, passes along some tight canyon walls, then elevates to the Joshua Tree Plateau. After that, there is still a peak to climb. |
| Leaving the trail toward Keys Peak. |
Since there are no signs pointing out Keys Peak, I referred to hiking apps on my phone to assure me that the giant rockpile I was looking at was actually the one considered to be Keys Peak. |
| On the summit. |
As the trail began passing the peak on the west side, I left the trail and walked over to its base. From there, I carefully worked my way up and through the boulders toward the summit. At the top, I found a summit register, which certainly alleviated whatever doubts I had regarding whether or not I was climbing the right peak. |
| Summit benchmark. |
Great views appear in all directions overlooking the canyons I climbed, the other peaks to the east, and also the Joshua Tree Plateau. After a long pause at the summit to soak it all in, I carefully descended and returned back down the canyon. On the way back I passed Mount Mel. I considered adding it to the hike, but decided that I would come back sometime and give the Mount Mel hike its own day, while also exploring Indian Cove more closely. |
| Passing below Mount Mel. |
Video:
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