Recent storms dropped upwards of 4.5 inches of rain in spots of Mojave National Preserve. The purple-hued areas received 4-4.5 inches of rain/NPS

Mojave National Preserve, which saw torrential rains bury many of its roads under debris, opened some of the routes Friday while others with more substantial damage remained closed. 

Monsoonal rains that dumped upwards of 4.5 inches of rain on California's desert in a matter of hours unleashed flash floods on July 31 that caused widespread damage at the preserve. While Cima, Kelso-Cima, South Kelbaker, Morning Star, Ivanpah, Essex, Black Canyon and Lanfair roads were to reopen Friday, North Kelbaker and Zzyzx Road remained closed due to significant road damage. The Hole-In-The-Wall Visitor Center was also to reopen and maintain normal hours.

A washout at “Seventeen Mile” on North Kelbaker Road may take months to repair, a park release said. More than 100 feet of pavement and culverts washed away at that site, and floodwaters eroded the area 3-4 feet further, creating a deeper channel. 

The Mojave Road, a historic trans-desert pathway and now a dirt road, also sustained two significant washouts near Piute Canyon and at the North Kelbaker crossing at Seventeen Mile. The portion of the Mojave Road across the Soda Lake portion remains impassable due to the heavy rains. Additional rain may lead to closures, as deep mud can strand even four-wheel drive vehicles. 

The heavy rains chewed away at the preserve's road network/NPS file

Loose gravel, soft shoulders, and steep shoulder drop-offs are common on preserve roads now. Additional monsoon rains are forecasted, and travelers may find new debris on roads. Park staff caution motorists to drive cautiously while traveling through the preserve. 

Abundant rain and mild temperatures have transformed the normally dry landscape to bright green with new foliage. Wildlife sightings have also become a regular occurrence, particularly those of desert tortoise and bighorn sheep. Desert tortoises move out of their burrows to seek food and water in these conditions and can often be seen on roads after rain. Preserve staff asks all travelers to Drive Like A TortoiseTM so that everyone can reach their destination safely, including wildlife. 

​​​​​​​For the most current updates on closures and road status conditions in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/monsoon-recovery.htm or follow Mojave National Preserve on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.