If you're heading to Las Vegas, you can still take the route through the Mojave Desert
Colin AtagiGetting out of Palm Springs was a stressful endeavor after Thursday's storm shut down roads across the city, but that should have been as hard as it got for anyone heading to Las Vegas by way of a popular route through the Mojave Desert.
Las Vegas-goers should rest assured that the High Desert route was left unscathed by the storm, which dropped 3.71 inches of rain on Palm Springs in 24 hours. But don't be surprised if you find a pothole or two, since that's an occasional problem.
It appears the eastern edge of the storm only went as far as Twentynine Palms and the region beyond that is relatively dry.
"That area wasn't hit nearly as hard as the area around Palm Springs and the Morongo Basin," said John Adair, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Las Vegas.
He said anywhere from 0.8 inches to an inch of rain fell across the area north of Twentynine Palms and weather officials were unaware of any road closures.
Caltrans spokeswoman Terri Kasina said there were no emergency repairs or closures in the area. The Mojave National Preserve's website also has no reports of road closures and the most recent advisories are from November.
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Adair said an inch of rain could damage roads if it falls within a short amount of time.
But Thursday's storm "was a lot-more prolonged event where an inch fell over 12 hours. So that allowed it to soak in and run off without causing major problems," he said.
The route is accessible from Highway 62 and it's a popular alternative to taking Interstate 10 west before heading north on Interstate 15 into Las Vegas.
A scenic trek through an open desert filled with mountains and rock formations typically awaits drivers once they pass Twentynine Palms.
Phone reception is non-existent and it's advised to bring supplies and look over a map to familiarize yourself with the route before taking it for the first time. Also consider contacting the Mojave National Preserve for updates.
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The overall trip from Palm Springs to the outskirts of Las Vegas will still take a few hours, but there's significantly less traffic compared with I-15.
Here are the directions:
Take Highway 62 into Twentynine Palms and turn left onto Adobe Road. Go north on Adobe for about two miles before turning right onto Amboy Road.
Take Amboy to the end, where it intersects with National Trails Highway. Turn right and head east on National Trails for about five miles before turning left onto Kelbaker Road.
Head north (passing Interstate 40) and turn right onto Kelso Cima Road directly after crossing railroad tracks. This is where you'll find the Kelso Depot Visitors Center and your one and only rest stop.
From Kelso Cima, turn left onto Cima Road or curve left onto Morning Star Mine Road. Cima will get you to I-15 sooner (you'll see a road sign), but Morning Star Mine is shorter by a few minutes. It's suggested to research this confusing intersection.
Morning Star Mine dead-ends at Ivanpah Road, where you turn left. A few minutes later, turn left onto Nipton Road and take it to I-15. You'll cross into Nevada within a few minutes.
Desert Sun reporter Colin Atagi covers crime, public safety, and road and highway safety. He can be reached at Colin.Atagi@desertsun.com or follow him at @tdscolinatagi