Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill

Joshua Tree National Park, CA

Info

Distance
6.2 mi
Elevation gain
1,600 ft
Route type
Out & back
Duration
2.5 hr
Crux
Class 2
Quality
5/10

Peaks bagged

1
Lela Benchmark
Zdon
4,720 ft / Rise 560 ft
2
Malapai Hill
LPC
4,280 ft / Rise 360 ft

Trip report

Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
I parked along Geology Tour Road at a pullout between Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill. With only a few hours of daylight left, I headed east toward Lela Benchmark.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Aiming for the gully on the right.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Start of the gully.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
View back toward Malapai Hill, right of center.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Easy Class 2.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
The gully lets out at this plateau. Continue straight.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Lela Benchmark's summit ahead.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Climbing to the saddle on the left.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
View back at the plateau.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
On the ridge, final push to the summit.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
View back from just below the summit of Lela Benchmark.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Lela Benchmark summit. View north.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Heading down the Lela Benchmark's west ridge.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
At a small saddle, dropping into a gully on the right.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
The gully steepens.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Class 2 down the gully.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
My route passed through this natural rock window.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Big desert tarantula.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Nearing the exit of the gully.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
View back up the gully.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Following a sandy wash into the open desert.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Headed back to Geology Tour Road.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Continuing on the west side of Geology Tour Road toward Malapai Hill, seen past the outcrop on the right.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Arriving at the base of Malapai Hill.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Climbing up a band of stable talus.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Looking across the valley toward Lela Benchmark.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Malapai Hill summit. View north.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
View southwest.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
Descending off Malapai Hill's gentler north slope.
Trip report photo for Lela Benchmark and Malapai Hill
View back at Malapai Hill's north slope.

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