Long-time denizens of Expedition Portal certainly will know our old friend and frequent contributor, Chris Cordes. Now with onX Maps, Chris has turned his passion for off-road exploration into a career helping others find their own way to unknown places. One such place is the American Southwest’s Mojave Desert. A sprawling patchwork of diverse landscapes, private enclaves, and public lands managed by multiple agencies, the Mojave has been a four-wheel drive mecca for generations.
While 4×4 access in this huge desert has ebbed and flowed over the years, the one constant has been the famous Mojave Road—a 135-mile bucket-list trek that’s been well-documented over the decades (including by Chris Cordes himself). Lesser known but more expansive is the East Mojave Heritage Trail (EMHT). With a web of nearly 700 miles of interconnected off-piste routes, the EMHT comprises one of the most remote and intriguing overland adventures you can plan in North America.
But a route like this doesn’t just spring up overnight—it takes the vision of passionate individuals and the collective work of like-minded folks to document, plan, and champion access and preservation. Billy Creech, the President of the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association, has been relentless in his advocacy for the EMHT and rallying the overland and off-road communities to keep the Mojave open for modern explorers. Chris sits down with Billy and many other Mojave mavens in this video, highlighting the beauty, history, and traditions of exploration in the Mojave Desert.
Spring is the perfect time to get out and discover the Mojave Desert for yourself. You can learn more about the East Mojave Heritage Trail on the Overland Journal Podcast with our own Scott Brady and journalist Sean Holman.
Image: Billy Creech
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