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Trip Stats for New York One Mountain, AKA New York Benchmark
Overview: Experience significant Mojave Desert history and geology on this sublime and remote desert hike. It requires negotiating rugged terrain, route-finding and steep climbs, but the views from this second-highest Mojave National Preserve summit are worth the effort. Location: Keystone Canyon approach - Northeast Mojave National Preserve - eastern California near Nevada border. Distance/Elevation Gain: 7.0 miles out and back/2,200'. Trailhead = 5,276', Benchmark summit (New York One) = 7,464'. Difficulty: Route-finding experience recommended, no trail after reaching saddle under New York Mountain, Class 2+ scrambling. Class 3 if climbing New York Mountains Highpoint (Two). Maps/Apps/Links: AllTrails, Stavislost, USGS 7.5 min topo map - Ivanpah, CA. Coordinates: Trailhead = 35.27165 -115.27620. New York Benchmark = 35.26045 -115.31273 Date Hiked: Winter Solstice, 2024. Geology: The geochemistry of New York Mountains stream sediment is some of the most atypical in the East Mojave National Scenic Area: samples include Copper, Manganese, Lead, Gold and Zinc. Rocks on this hike appear to have a chrysocolla coating (green-blue copper sulfate mineral produced when copper minerals come in contact with silica-rich groundwater). Mine on trail: probably the Copper Queen Mine - Vanderbilt District (New York District), New York Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. Interesting Fact: Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, seen north from New York Mountain's summit, was the world's largest solar thermal power station when it began operating in 2014, at a cost of $2.2 billion. Three glowing towers in a sea of bright reflective mirrors stand out amid the serene environment of Clark Mountain's flanks in the Mojave Desert. Update as of 02/03/2025: Two of the towers will go offline in 2026 due to power production inefficiencies compared to cheaper solar technology. California's Pacific Gas and Electric will terminate its contract with this concentrated solar plant years ahead of schedule, in order to save its customers money. Ivanpah Solar Facility has struggled from the beginning, requiring a large amount of fossil fuel to sustain its operations. This sprawling complex symbolizes the pitfalls of large-scale developments because of the sustainability/practicality considerations. Thousands of birds, while flying near the towers, have been incinerated. Desert tortoises have been displaced. "The Ivanpah plant was a financial boondoggle and environmental disaster." - Julia Dowell - Sierra Club (more info below). Quote: "Everything here is bone." - Craig Childs
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Petroglyphs/Pictographs Southern Utah Hikes California Desert Hikes Nevada Hikes Arizona Hikes Idaho Hikes 
Chrysocolla coating on rock
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It's December again - time to hike some Mojave Desert summits! For the past few years, Fred and I journey to Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley to see our old hiking buddies and do a few hikes on the way. Some of the best have been Pahrump Point and Tecopa Hot Springs, Pyramid Peak, and rare Lake Manly in Death Valley, a surreal sight when Badwater Basin filled after Tropical Storm Hilary.
The hike to New York Mountain has all the ingredients for the Mojave-loving, intrepid desert adventurer: old mines with abandoned equipment, steep rock climbs, tricky ridges, expansive views of Southern California's and Nevada's mountain ranges and ancient alluvial fans that spill into wide valleys in between. It's the second-highest summit in the Mojave National Preserve, after Clark Mountain, the highest at 7,933'.
This hike brings you up to the two highest points in the New York Mountain range: New York Benchmark (7,464'), AKA New York 1 Mountain, and New York Mountains High Point (7,533'), AKA "New York 2 Mountain." When we got up to New York 1 summit, we looked over at the higher New York High Point and decided it looked too technical for us (Class 3), so we called it "good" and took a lunch break on this beautiful, peaceful summit. There's something about being able to see forever in all directions in the Mojave Desert summit that screams "Freedom!"
The views from this 7,000-foot Mojave perch are incredible. To the north is the huge Ivanpah Valley, surrounded by alluvial fans that extend down from the Ivanpah Mountains to the west and the New York Mountains to the east. Castle Mountain's pinnacles and knobs make a dramatic silhouette on the eastern horizon.
The hike to New York Mountain has all the ingredients for the Mojave-loving, intrepid desert adventurer: old mines with abandoned equipment, steep rock climbs, tricky ridges, expansive views of Southern California's and Nevada's mountain ranges and ancient alluvial fans that spill into wide valleys in between. It's the second-highest summit in the Mojave National Preserve, after Clark Mountain, the highest at 7,933'.
This hike brings you up to the two highest points in the New York Mountain range: New York Benchmark (7,464'), AKA New York 1 Mountain, and New York Mountains High Point (7,533'), AKA "New York 2 Mountain." When we got up to New York 1 summit, we looked over at the higher New York High Point and decided it looked too technical for us (Class 3), so we called it "good" and took a lunch break on this beautiful, peaceful summit. There's something about being able to see forever in all directions in the Mojave Desert summit that screams "Freedom!"
The views from this 7,000-foot Mojave perch are incredible. To the north is the huge Ivanpah Valley, surrounded by alluvial fans that extend down from the Ivanpah Mountains to the west and the New York Mountains to the east. Castle Mountain's pinnacles and knobs make a dramatic silhouette on the eastern horizon.
Hike Summary
I advise following the top of the ridge to the summit instead of our tracks that go on the steep hillside under the ridge. There are faint animal trails, a lot of brush and boulders to climb over/go around.
We were able to drive in on the gravel road ~ 2.0 miles off of Ivanpah Road, taking a right. There was a large parking area on the right, and a campground nearby.
The walk up Keystone Canyon gets steep and narrow. Once you reach the mine, it ends and a trail continues up to the skylight above where there is a flat saddle area and a good look at New York Mountains highpoint, where you hike up its northeast ridge to the top.
I advise following the top of the ridge to the summit instead of our tracks that go on the steep hillside under the ridge. There are faint animal trails, a lot of brush and boulders to climb over/go around.
We were able to drive in on the gravel road ~ 2.0 miles off of Ivanpah Road, taking a right. There was a large parking area on the right, and a campground nearby.
- 0 - 0.7 miles: Parking to entrance of Keystone Canyon on gravel and sand.
- 0.7 - 1.4 miles: Keystone entrance to intersection with road to mine (Bronze (Live Oak) Mine) on the right. Keep left at intersection.
- 1.4 - 2.6 miles: intersection to saddle under New York Peak. You pass the mine, tailings, and tracks and ascend steep and loose rocky hillside to saddle.
- 2.6 - 3.4 miles: at saddle take a right (west) and hike up to ridge; follow ridge to New York Benchmark (New York One) and New York Two.
The walk up Keystone Canyon gets steep and narrow. Once you reach the mine, it ends and a trail continues up to the skylight above where there is a flat saddle area and a good look at New York Mountains highpoint, where you hike up its northeast ridge to the top.
Green and Blue Rocks!
Turquiose - colored rocks add bright color among the grey and brown rocks near the Copper Queen Mine at the head of Keystone Canyon. There were shades of azurite and malachite, other secondary copper minerals. Chrysocolla is the name of this colorful copper sulfate coating on rocks produced when copper comes in contact with silica-rich ground water. "Chrysocolla" literally means "gold glue" (chrysos = gold, kolla = glue). It's closely associated with copper-bearing minerals.
The use of Chrysocolla to solder gold is traced way back to 300 B.C. Its colors range from sky-blue to meadow-green, which infuses nurturing, healing and compassion. Supposedly, Cleopatra, as an ambassador to to other regions, brought Chrysocolla with her to pacify violence.
Chrysocolla is a stone of compassion, empathy and healing. It's a symbol of the "Golden Rule" and striving for cohesion: "do unto others as you would have them done unto you." You can use this stone to communicate emotions in a grounded way to reduce stress and anxiety.
Most of the Chrysocolla we found at this mine was a thin coating on rocks. It also comes in a botryoidal "grape-like" texture and vein forms.
Turquiose - colored rocks add bright color among the grey and brown rocks near the Copper Queen Mine at the head of Keystone Canyon. There were shades of azurite and malachite, other secondary copper minerals. Chrysocolla is the name of this colorful copper sulfate coating on rocks produced when copper comes in contact with silica-rich ground water. "Chrysocolla" literally means "gold glue" (chrysos = gold, kolla = glue). It's closely associated with copper-bearing minerals.
The use of Chrysocolla to solder gold is traced way back to 300 B.C. Its colors range from sky-blue to meadow-green, which infuses nurturing, healing and compassion. Supposedly, Cleopatra, as an ambassador to to other regions, brought Chrysocolla with her to pacify violence.
Chrysocolla is a stone of compassion, empathy and healing. It's a symbol of the "Golden Rule" and striving for cohesion: "do unto others as you would have them done unto you." You can use this stone to communicate emotions in a grounded way to reduce stress and anxiety.
Most of the Chrysocolla we found at this mine was a thin coating on rocks. It also comes in a botryoidal "grape-like" texture and vein forms.
Chrysocolla coating (left), botryoidal texture (grape-like) from a volcanic zone (right) - this sample found in Nevada.
California and Nevada deserts are one of our favorite places to hike. Most people probably prefer lots of green and water and meadows, like the perfect Teton or Utah's Wasatch where scenery is beautiful and gorgeous. But remote deserts are sublime and they create more mystery and wonderment, maybe some feelings of uneasiness for those who are not used to walking in them. Some of the oldest rocks in the country are found here - 2 billion years old! There's limestone, basalt, ryholite, dolomite, granite. Mojave Desert vegetation is tough - it has adapted to harsh conditions ranging from freezing nights to broiling sun, such as the presence of small hairs on leaves that face in more of a vertical orientation to lessen the exposure to the sun.
The Mojave Desert is a place where you can come face to face with loneliness. It's a place where you can feel more spiritual. There's so much in these deserts to find, find out about yourself, and so many feelings to experience.
"In Sublimity - the superlative degree of beauty -
What land can equal the desert?"
-John C. Van Dyke
The Mojave Desert is a place where you can come face to face with loneliness. It's a place where you can feel more spiritual. There's so much in these deserts to find, find out about yourself, and so many feelings to experience.
"In Sublimity - the superlative degree of beauty -
What land can equal the desert?"
-John C. Van Dyke
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Views from the truck: approaching New York Mountains from Ivanpah Road, near the California/Nevada border. The access road to Keystone Canyon is good and passable for high-clearance - no 4WD needed this time.
Starting on the trail: a glimpse of a pinnacled ridge we will be passing under between two trees in a recently burned area near Keystone Canyon mouth and trailhead parking, starting up Keystone Canyon Trail and continuing up-canyon on an old mining road/wash.
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Water tank and old pipes in Keystone Canyon.
I believe this is a Canyon Live Oak tree - these are prevalent in Keystone drainage, at 5,500' elevation and above.
Reaching what is probably the Copper Queen Mine with its tailings and adit (horizontal mine passage).
source: Mindat.org
source: Mindat.org
Continuing past the mine and up a steep rocky trail marked by cairns.
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The trail gets steep and loose.
Almost at the top of Keystone Canyon, near saddle at top.
Arriving at saddle above Keystone Canyon for a view of New York Mountain High Point (bump just right of center). From here, take a right to get onto New York Mountain's northeast ridge.
Climbing to the ridge that leads to the highest New York Mountains summits.
Looking back on the saddle we just ascended above Keystone Canyon. The view is toward the north.
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There's a faint trail leading to the ridge.
On New York Mountain's northeast ridge with a view of Ivanpah Solar Power Facility to the north in the Clark Mountain range (three bright lights with towers upper left). At this "concentrating solar power facility," mirrors reflect solar energy on three 459-foot tall solar power towers. It is near the Nevada/California state line. It required more natural gas than first forecasted to begin operations every morning.
Environmental impacts have ranged from glare to pilots flying in the vicinity, desert tortoise habitat damage and the subsequent relocation of them, and an estimated 3,500 birds died in the span of a year, many of them being burned alive in certain areas of the plant where the air temperature can reach 1,000° F.
Update: Two of the towers will close much sooner than usual - in 2026, due to more efficient solar technology present. This is in the interest of saving money for California ratepayers.
Environmental impacts have ranged from glare to pilots flying in the vicinity, desert tortoise habitat damage and the subsequent relocation of them, and an estimated 3,500 birds died in the span of a year, many of them being burned alive in certain areas of the plant where the air temperature can reach 1,000° F.
Update: Two of the towers will close much sooner than usual - in 2026, due to more efficient solar technology present. This is in the interest of saving money for California ratepayers.
Discernible trail leading up to the saddle between New York One (Benchmark) and New York Two mountains.
Reaching the saddle between New York Benchmark (One) and New York High Point (Two). Fred is hiking to the Benchmark summit cairn, seen at the top.
Christmas cookie baked by our friend Janet - a great way to celebrate the summit and Winter Solstice!!
Fun with masking feature in Adobe Lightroom photo editor.
The highest point in the New York Mountains, across the saddle from New York Benchmark.
The highest point in the New York Mountains, across the saddle from New York Benchmark.
Love the sublime Mojave!
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Starting back down off of New York Mountain One (Benchmark).
Cool Stuff on the Trail.
Clockwise from upper left: Chrysocolla-coated rock with other alterations (darker color), Spiny Cliffbrake Fern, more Chrysocolla, and purple prickly pear cactus.
Clockwise from upper left: Chrysocolla-coated rock with other alterations (darker color), Spiny Cliffbrake Fern, more Chrysocolla, and purple prickly pear cactus.
Our GPS tracks in red from parking (right) to New York Benchmark (lower left). This map shows how far into the gravel road we drove from Ivanpah paved road.
Our GPS tracks (red) from head of Keystone Canyon ( orange circle = Copper Queen Mine). We took a short trip on the ridge to the east of the saddle.
References
Mindat.org - Copper Queen Mine, Drum Peak, Vanderbilt district (New York District) - https://www.mindat.org/loc-88355.html
Theodore, T. G. (editor) Geology and Mineral Resources of the East Mojave National Scenic Area, San Bernardino County, California. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 2160.
Kallstrom, M. 2019. Chrysocolla: The Glue that Holds Us Together. From website: Chroma Gems. From website: Nature's Treasures.
Sedawie, R. 2024. Chrysocolla: Definition, Uses and Appearance. From website: Chroma Gems
Blood, M. 2/3/2025. A Massive Mojave Solar Plant May Shut Down just after 11 Years. The Daily Climate.
Mindat.org - Copper Queen Mine, Drum Peak, Vanderbilt district (New York District) - https://www.mindat.org/loc-88355.html
Theodore, T. G. (editor) Geology and Mineral Resources of the East Mojave National Scenic Area, San Bernardino County, California. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 2160.
Kallstrom, M. 2019. Chrysocolla: The Glue that Holds Us Together. From website: Chroma Gems. From website: Nature's Treasures.
Sedawie, R. 2024. Chrysocolla: Definition, Uses and Appearance. From website: Chroma Gems
Blood, M. 2/3/2025. A Massive Mojave Solar Plant May Shut Down just after 11 Years. The Daily Climate.