Bernard Peak

Bernard Peak and its nearby cousin Little Berdoo Peak are two of Joshua Tree National Park’s more remote peaks. Although the park extends far south from here, in this area we are already far into the transition from Mojave to Colorado desert, with ocotillo, mallow, and barrel and other varieties of cactus less commonly seen further north in the park. The rock has also changed. The iconic quartz monzonite seen ubiquitously elsewhere and so loved by climbers is rare here (and there is not a single climbing route for miles). The solitude is palpable, which adds to the experience. There are a wealth of views from the summit, San Gorgonio, San Jacinto, Palm Springs, and the Salton Sea among them. Berdoo and Bernard are typically hiked together.

Route 1 (identical to Little Berdoo Route 1) starts up a pretty canyon, leaving it to follow southeast ridge of Bernard to its summit. Bernard, then descends and climbs again to Little Berdoo’s north ridge. Route 2 follows a sandy wash (in common with Little Berdoo Route 2), exiting it to ascend a finger of south ridge. There are various route combinations involving the two peaks, and Routes 1 and 2 can be combined for a loop hike with a short road walk or car shuttle.