Just north of Jumbo Rocks Campground sits a quiet picnic area, quite forgotten due to its close proximity to Skull Rock. This is a great spot to take a midday break in solitude. You can find some shade nestled within the large rock jumble which surrounds this picnic area. Or if you want to stretch your legs, check out the short Split Rock loop hike.
This picnic area has four tables, each with its own firepit and grill, along with a pit toilet.
Split Rock Trail provides a 2.6 mile teaser loop hike through classic Mojave Desert landscape. While this isn't the most breathtaking trail in the park, it is a quick way to get a few miles of hiking in on a casual auto touring day and offers some whimsical geology. Route finding can be a little challenging along sections of this trail, so keep a watchful eye out for trail improvements such as stairs, rock markers, and cairns to guide your way.
We suggest doing this hike clockwise to avoid getting sucked down one of the social trails in the picnic area. Get started from the signed trailhead located on the southwest corner of the parking lot loop (1). The first 1/2 mile of trail is easy to follow (2) as it winds through tall piles of granite. Climber trails branch off from the main route as they access the base of these boulders: stick to the more traveled path and you should be on-track (3). 0.65 miles in you will drop into a wash and quickly come across a marker junction for Face Rock (4). A 0.2 mile round trip spur trail leads you to this rock formation, a fairly distinctive human profile.
Once you've appreciated Face Rock turn back around and head to the trail junction. This time head left (north) and continue along the loop as it winds through the rocks and eventually dips into a notable wash. Cruise along the remainder of the trail as it crosses open desert along the foothills below Eagle Cliff (5). As you re-enter the rock piles, split rock will come up quickly and soon you'll be right back in the picnic area (6).
