Ryan Mountain, Mountain summit in Joshua Tree National Park, United States.

Ryan Mountain is a 5,456-foot (1,663 m) summit in Joshua Tree National Park. The trail to the peak climbs 1,050 feet (320 m) over 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of exposed rock and sandy passages.

Native peoples used this location for centuries as a vantage point across the desert landscape. Once the area became a national park in 1936, the peak developed into a popular hiking destination.

The peak is named after J.D. Ryan, a wealthy rancher and early mining operator in the area. The mountain is also one of the locations in Joshua Tree National Park with abundant lichen populations, which visitors can spot on the rocks along the trail.

Start your hike early in the day to avoid midday heat, and bring at least 3 to 4 liters of water per person since shade is scarce along the route. The trail is rocky and uneven in places, so sturdy hiking boots are helpful.

From the top, you can see two contrasting desert landscapes at once: the Pinto Basin and Pleasant Valley, each with different rock formations and plant life. This side-by-side view reveals how desert environments vary even within the same park.