Mojave Desert, Part II

Many of the 77 designated wilderness areas of the Mojave Desert provide desert tortoise habitat and contain large stands of Joshua trees.  Other drier sites are mostly creosote bush and cholla cactus.  A few, such as Golden Valley and Newberry Mountains, are known for spring wildflower displays.  Those that reach above 7,000 feet, such as Kingston Range and Mount Tipton, support pinyon-juniper at the higher elevations.

XIV.  National Wilderness Areas

Argus Range Wilderness,BLM Ridgecrest District,California (site 29).  Dry desert mountains, springs, and creosote bush dominate this area just to the west of Death Valley NP.  This area is an IBA for the California towhee.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Arrow Canyon Wilderness, BLM Las Vegas Field Office,Nevada (site 30). Arrow Canyon is 18 feet across and 300 feet deep.  Miocene-age bird tracks and fossils of coral and mollusks are here.  Also in the wilderness is a 3,000-foot west-facing cliff face, all in a creosote-bush dominated landscape.  Ecoregions NA1305 and 1308.

Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness,BLM Arizona Strip District, Arizona and Utah (site 31).  The wilderness includes theVirgin River and a Joshua tree forest to the north of it, all north of I-15 in northwestern Arizonaand southwestern Utah.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, BLM Needles Field Office, California (site 32).  The concentration of bigelow cholla cactus is the notable feature at the northern end of the Sacramento Mountains adjacent to I-40 in far eastern California.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Bighorn Mountain Wilderness, BLM California Desert District and San Bernardino NF,California (site 33).  This area makes the transition from Joshua trees and yuccas to Jeffrey pine.  Ecoregion NA1203 and NA1308.

Black Canyon Wilderness, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada (site 34).  This area is across from Willow Beach on Lake Mohave and downstream from Hoover Dam in the Black Canyon.  It contains vertical cliffs dropping to the Colorado River.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Black Mountain Wilderness, BLM Barstow Field Office, California (site 35).  This is a mesa rising above flat lava flows.  Ecoregion NA 1308.

Bridge Canyon Wilderness, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada (site 36).  This area of the Newberry Mountains is noted for rock formations, springs, seeps, caves, and petroglyphs.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Bristol Mountains Wilderness, BLM Needles Field Office,California (site 37).  This is an area of creosote bush scrub to the southwest of Mojave National Preserve and to the north of I-40.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Cadiz Dunes Wilderness, BLM Needles Field Office,California (site 38). Between the Sheephole Valley and Old Woman Mountains and adjacent toCadiz Dry Lake is this lowland area which contains rare dune plants including the Borrego milkvetch.  Ecoregion NA1308

Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness, BLM Needles and Lake Havasu Field Offices, California (site 39).  Rugged, granitic mountains are found along theColorado River to the south of I-40, east of US 95 and adjoining the Havasu NWR and Wilderness Area.  A large central valley is at the boundary between the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert.  A dense stand of cholla and other cacti cover the area.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Chimney Peak Wilderness, BLM Bakersfield Field Office,California (site 40).  This pinyon pine and sagebrush area adjacent to the Domeland and Owens Peak Wildernesses is on the boundary between theSierra Nevada and Mojave Desert.  Ecoregions NA527 and NA1308.

Cleghorn Lakes Wilderness, BLM Barstow Field Office,California (site 41).  This area between Joshua Tree and Amboy Crater includes the 4,000-foot Bullion Mountains as well as a large alluvial area and dry lakes.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Clipper Mountain Wilderness, BLM Needles Field Office, California (site 42).  A range of 4,600-foot volcanic mountains to the west of Essex overlooks the former Route 66 to the south and I-40 to the north.  The area is critical habitat for the desert tortoise.  Ecoregion NA1308

Coso Range Wilderness, BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, California (site 43).  The area is noted for Vermillion Canyon and large stands of Joshua trees.  It is located east of Olancha, south of State Route 190 and east of US 395.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, BLM St. George Field Office, Utah (site 7).  An extension of the Zion NP topography of sheer cliffs and seeps, this area contains species from both the Mojave Desert and Colorado Plateau.  Ecoregions NA1304 and NA1308.

Darwin Falls Wilderness, BLM, California (site 44).  This area is adjacent to State Route 190 and Death Valley NP.  The wilderness contains the north side of Darwin Canyon downstream of Darwin Falls, which is in the national park.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Dead Mountains Wilderness, BLM, California (site 45).  North of I-40, east of US 95, and west of the Colorado River lie the Dead Mountains, jagged mountains with creosote bush scrub, smoketrees, and critical habitat for the desert tortoise.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Death Valley Wilderness,California and Nevada (site 19).   See Death Valley NP.

Domeland Wilderness, BLM Bakersfield Field Office, California (site 46).  This wilderness preserves the transition between the southern end of the Sierra Nevada and the Mojave Desert.  Ecoregions NA527 and NA1308.

El Paso Mountains Wilderness, BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, California (site 47). Badlands topography and the Last Chance Archaeological District are included, as are fossil sites from the age of mammals.  Vegetation is creosote bush and Joshua tree.  The Black Hills and Indian Wells Valley on the northwest side of the El Paso Mountains east of State Route 14 are included.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Eldorado Wilderness, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and BLM Las Vegas Field Office, Nevada (site 48).  This area includes part of the Eldorado Mountains and the Black Canyon Area of Lake Mohave; it is prime bighorn sheep habitat.  The BLM portion includes Lonesome Wash and Oak CreekCanyon.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Funeral Mountains Wilderness, BLM Barstow Field Office, California (site 49).  This area in the eastern Funeral Mountains is on the north side of State Route 190 and adjoins the east side of Death Valley NP near Death Valley Junction.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Golden Valley Wilderness, BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, California (site 50).  This area includes the Almond Mountains and the Lava Mountains, both of which are covered with Joshua trees, and a wide valley known for spring wildflower displays in between.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness,Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Arizona (site 51).  Twelve miles of towering cliffs in two giant 1,000-foot steps mark the boundary between the Mojave Desertand Colorado Plateau.  The first step is the Grand Wash Cliffs and the upper step is the Hidden Rim.  Ecoregion NA1304 and 1308.

Grass Valley Wilderness, BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, California (site 52).  Adjacent to the China Lake Naval Weapons Center, this creosote-bush-dominated area consists of low hills.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Havasu Wilderness, Havasu NWR, Arizona and California (site 39).  Adjacent to the Chemeheuvi Wilderness, the Havasu Wilderness includes Mojave Canyon south of I-40, Tumarion Peak, and Powell Peak.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Hollow Hills Wilderness, BLM Barstow Field Office, California (site 53).  This area contains creosote bush communities and desert tortoise habitat; the topography rises from Silver Dry Lake adjacent to State Route 127 to a range of low hills just north of I-15 and the Mojave National Preserve. Ecoregion NA 1308.

Ibex Wilderness, BLM Barstow Field Office, California (site 28).  The Ibex Hills, Greenwater Valley, and McLain Park are included, along with old talc mines.  The area adjoins Death Valley NP and is west of Tecopa and the Amargosa Wild and ScenicRiver.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Inyo Mountains Wilderness, Inyo NF and BLM, California (site 54).  There are 11,000-foot mountains topped with bristlecone pines and eight canyons with year-round streams.  Eocregions NA1305 and NA1308.  

Ireteba Peaks Wilderness, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and BLM Southern Nevada District, Nevada (site 55).  This area on Lake Mohave includes the Eldorado Mountains and is vegetated with teddy bear cholla.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Jimbilnan Wilderness, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada (site 56).  This area south of Echo Bay on the Overton Arm of Lake Mead contains the Black Mountains, Cathedral Peaks, and a sand dune area.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Joshua Tree Wilderness, Joshua Tree NP, California (site 20).  See Joshua Tree NP.

Jumbo Springs Wilderness, BLM Las Vegas Field Office, Nevada (site 57).  In the South Virgin Mountains, creosote bush and pinyon-juniper grow in Burro Spring and Cottonwood canyons which drain east to Lake Mead near the Arizona state line.  The area adjoins Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which is to the south.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Kelso Dunes Wilderness, BLM, California (site 58).  Adjacent to Mojave National Preserve, the dunes are mostly in the National Preserve area to the east.  The wilderness itself consists of the north end of the flat-topped volcanic Bristol Mountains, including Broadwell Mesa.  On the western boundary is Broadwell Dry Lake.  Vegetation is creosote bush.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Kiavah Wilderness, Sequoia NF and California Desert District, California (site 59).  The Scodie Mountains, which are a transition zone between the Sierra Nevada and Mojave Desert, contain canyons and include a section of the Pacific Crest Trail.  Ecoregions NA1203 and NA1308.

Kingston Range Wilderness, BLM Barstow and Needles Field Offices, California (site 60).  This extensive 200,000-acre wilderness in three units stretches from the Amargosa River, a perennial river, south to the Mojave National Preserve and includes the Dumont Hills, Kingston Peak, eastern Valjean Valley, Shadow Mountains, and Shadow Valley.  Sky islands with 17 miles of ridgeline above 6,000 feet support lush Joshua tree forests rising to pinyon juniper and white fir above 7,000 feet.  The area is part of the East Mojave Peaks IBA.  Ecoregion NA1308.

La Madre Mountain Wilderness, BLM Las Vegas Field Office and Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Nevada (site 25).  Just to the west of Las Vegas is 9,600-foot La Madre Mountain, along with cliffs and canyons. Lovell Canyon, White Rock Cliffs, Turtlehead Mountain, and Red Rock Summit are included. Brownstone Canyon is on the National Register of Historic Places for petroglyphs.  Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area adjoins the wilderness to the south.  Ecoregion NA 1308.

Lime Canyon Wilderness, BLM Las Vegas Field Office, Nevada (site 61).  In the South Virgin Mountains, this wilderness borders Lake Mead National Recreation Area to the west.  There are two parallel ridges, including Lime Ridge and Gold Butte Wash.  Vegetation includes Joshua tree and creosote bush communities.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Malpais Mesa Wilderness, BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, California (site 62).  Located east of Owens Lake and the junction of California State Routes 136 and 190, the area includes all of Malpais Mesa and the north end of Talc City Hills.  Creosote bush, Joshua trees, and pinyon juniper vegetate the area, depending on the elevation.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Manly Peak Wilderness, BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, California (site 63).  At elevation 7,000 feet in the Panamint Mountains, Manley Peak is partly in Death Valley NP.  The area includes Big Horn, Coyote, and Redlands Canyons east of thePanamint Valley. Ecoregion NA1308.

North McCullough Wilderness, Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, BLM Red Rock/Sloan Field Office, Nevada (site 9).  The volcanic McCullough Mountains support vegetation from the Mojave, Sonoran, and Great Basin deserts, but creosote bush and Joshua tree are dominant.  The area is noted for numerous petroglyph panels.  Ecoregion NA1308.

South McCullough Wilderness, BLM Las Vegas Field Office, Nevada (site 64).  Steep slopes and narrow canyons support pinyon-juniper and Joshua tree vegetation in this area south of McCullough Pass.  The area includes 7,000-foot McCullough Mountain and several springs.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Mesquite Wilderness, BLM Needles Field Office, California (site 65).  The northern part of the Clark Mountains, the Mesquite Mountains east of Winters Pass, and Mesquite Pass are in this area, which is north of Mojave National Preserve.  The Clark Mountains are noted for caves.  Vegetation is creosote bush, Joshua tree, and barrel cactus.  The wilderness provides critical habitat for the desert tortoise.  Ecoregion NA1308.

North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness, BLM Needles Field Office, California (site 65).   To the east of Kingston Range Wilderness, this area includes Sandy Valley as well as the Mesquite Mountains and is vegetated with creosote bush and Joshua tree.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Mojave Wilderness, Mojave National Preserve, California (site 11).  See description under Mojave National Preserve.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Mormon Mountains Wilderness, BLM Las Vegas Field Office, Nevada (site 66).  On the border between the Great Basin and Mojave Desert, the Mormon Mountains contain old growth ponderosa pine, archaeological sites, and paleontological sites.  Ecoregions NA1305 and 1308.

Mount Charleston Wilderness, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area and BLM Las Field Office, Nevada (site 25).  The site includes the 10,000-foot mountains to the west of Las Vegas including Charleston Peak, McFarland Peak, and Willow Peak.  It is the largest contiguous bristlecone pine forest, and protects 15 endemic mountain flowers.  There are 40 miles of trails.  The BLM portion is a mountain to the north ofTrout Canyon.  Ecoregions NA515 and NA1308.

Mount Nutt Wilderness, BLM Kingman Field Office, Arizona (site 67).  This area to the west of Kingman and east of Bullhead City includes volcanic topography which is inhabited by desert bighorn sheep.  Small oases support forests of cottonwood, willow, and oak.  In addition to Mount Nutt, other prominent features are Grapevine Canyon, Cottonwood Canyon,Thimble Mountain, and Battleship Mountain.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Mount Tipton Wilderness, BLM Kingman Field Office, Arizona (site 68).  To the east of US 93 north of Kingman are the Cerbat Mountains.  In addition to 7,000-foot Mount Tipton, this area includes maroon-colored rock formations called the Pinnacles. These are spires towering above the desert valley.  The BLM Windy Point Campground is just to the south of the boundary.  Joshua trees are at lower elevations and isolated pinyon-juniper, chaparral, and ponderosa pine forests are at higher elevations. Ecoregion NA1308.

Mount Wilson Wilderness, BLM Kingman Field Office, Arizona (site 69).  Eight miles of the Mount Wilson ridgeline are surrounded by the Lake Mead National Recreation Area; the mountains rise more than 3,000 feet above the desert floor.  Views are of Lake Mead in the distance.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Muddy Mountains Wilderness, BLM Las Vegas District and Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada (site 70).  This area is known for slot canyons and Mojave Desert vegetation.  In addition to Muddy Peak, the area includes the Gale Hills and Bitter Ridge.  The Lake Mead portion contains an area known for red, yellow, magenta and orange rock outcrops called the Bowl of Fire.   Hidden Valley is also known for rock outcrops. Anniversary Narrows is a slot canyon.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Nellis Wash Wilderness, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada (site 71). Facing Lake Mojave in the southern part of  the recreation area, Nellis Wash Wilderness contains desert tortoise habitat and includes part of the Newberry Mountains and Catclaw Washes IBA.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Newberry Mountains Wilderness, BLM Barstow Field Office, California (site 72).  Located southeast of Barstow and to the south of I-40, the 5,000-foot Newberry Mountains are noted for deep canyons and spring wildflower displays.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Nopah Range Wilderness, BLM Barstow Field Office, California (site 73).  On the Nevada border south of Route 178 and north of KingstonRange, the area includes the Nopah and the southern Resting Springs Ranges, as well as the southern Chicago Valley and California portions of the Pahrump Valley.  Vegetation is creosote bush and yuccas.  Ecoregion NA1308.

South Nopah Range Wilderness, BLM Barstow Field Office, California (site 74).  The south Nopah Range and the west side of California Valley are included in this wilderness, which supports desert bighorn sheep and ivory-spined agave plants.  It is located to the east of Tecopah.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Old Woman Mountains Wilderness, BLM Needles Field Office, California (site 75).  The Old Woman Mountains extend 35 miles north-south and 28 miles east-west.  The wilderness is west of Ward Valley and north of Danby Dry Lake.  The Old Woman Statue and Carbonate Peak are prominent mountains.  Creosote bush and pinyon-juniper vegetation are dominant.  Springs and seeps provide riparian habitat, and the alluvial fans provide desert tortoise habitat.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Owens Peak Wilderness, BLM, California (site 40).  Located north of state route 178 at Walker Pass, this transition area between the Great Basin, Mojave Desert, and Sierra Nevada has a variety of vegetation types including creosote bush, yucca, oak, and pinyon-juniper. Owens Peak, Lamont Peak, Morris Peak, Five Fingers, Boulder Peak, and several canyons are prominent geographic features.  Ecoregions NA527, NA1203, and NA1308.

Pahrump Valley Wilderness, BLM, California (site 76).  The northern Kingston Range and the edges of three dry valleys—Pahrump,California, and Mesquite—are included.  Vegetation is creosote bush and yucca. Ecoregion NA1308.

Paiute Wilderness, BLM Arizona Strip District, Arizona (site 77).  The wilderness preserves the Virgin Mountains south of I-15 in northwestern Arizona.  The 8,000-foot Mount Bangs and Sullivan Canyon are major features.  The northern part is the Virgin River Narrows along I-15.  The southern part includes Black Rock Mountain, Sand Cove and Pocum Cove and is in the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.  Ecoregion NA1304 and NA1308.

Pinto Mountains Wilderness, BLM Barstow Field Office, California (site 78).  On the northern edge of Joshua Tree National Park, this two-unit wilderness includes part of the Pinto Mountains and MusicValley.  The eastern area includes the northern Pinto Basin.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Pinto Valley Wilderness, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada (site 79).  This area includes Guardian Mountain within the Black Mountains and dramatic drops to Lake Mead in Boulder Canyon; it is home to the Las Vegas bear poppy.  Ecoregion 1308.

Piute Mountains Wilderness, BLM Needles Field Office, California (site 80).  Located south of I-40 at exit 115, dominant vegetation is of creosote bush scrub.  Dry alluvial areas provide habitat for the desert tortoise.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, BLM Red Rock National Conservation Area and Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Nevada (site 4).  This area extends from State Route 160 at Mountain Springs Summit north to Red Rock Canyon, where it adjoins La Madre Mountain Wilderness.  The area includes sandstone cliffs and canyons from 4,000 to 7,000 feet in elevation, and there is a high concentration of rock art.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Resting Spring Range Wilderness, BLM Barstow Field Office, California (site 81).  Between State Routes 127 and 178 and the Nevada state line, the Resting Spring Range, Shadow Mountain, Eagle Mountain, and Stewart Valley are included. Ecoregion NA1308.

Rodman Mountains Wilderness, BLM Barstow Field Office, California (site 82).  A large lava flow contains natural water storage tanks that contain thousands of gallons of water.  The area is a core raptor breeding area.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Sacatar Trail Wilderness, BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, California (site 83).  The transition between the Sierra Nevada and Mojave Desert includes Joshua trees and pinyon-juniper.  The area is located to the west of US Route 395, to the north of Nine Mile Canyon Road, and to the south of Coso Junction.  Ecoregions NA527 and NA1308.

San Gorgonio Wilderness, BLM Palm Springs Office and San Gorgonio Ranger District, San Bernardino NF, California (site 84).  Located to the west of the Morongo Valley and State Route 62 and to the north of I-10, this area is at the boundary between the Peninsular Ranges, Mojave Desert, and Sonoran Desert.  It is dominated by 11,000-foot San Gorgonio Mountain.  Ecoregions NA1203, 1308, 1310.

Sheephole Valley Wilderness, BLM Needles Field Office, California (site 85).  This large area to the northeast of Joshua Tree NP includes the Sheep Hole and Calumet Mountains, as well as extensive areas of sand dunes.  Vegetation is dominated by creosote bush.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Spirit Mountain Wilderness, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and BLM Southern Nevada District, Nevada (site 36).  This area includes the Pyramid Canyon area of Lake Mohave, Pipespring Canyon, Grapevine Canyon, and part of the Catclaw Washes IBA in the Newberry Mountains.  It is in the far southern part of the Lake Mead NRA adjacent to State Route 163.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Stateline Wilderness, BLM, California (site 65).  This area includes the eastern Clark Mountains and Stateline Pass just north of I-15 at the Nevada-California state line.  Vegetation is creosote bush and Joshua tree.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Stepladder Mountains Wilderness, BLM Needles Field Office, California (site 86).  In addition to a small mountain range, this area contains upper Chemehuevi Valley and is critical habitat for the desert tortoise.  Ecoregion NA1308

Surprise Canyon Wilderness, BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, California (site 87).  The surprise is unexpected springs in the canyon walls on the west side of thePanamint Range adjoining Death Valley NP.   The area also includes part of Panamint Valley.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Trilobite Wilderness, BLM, California (site 88).  The site encompasses the Marble Mountains and resident bighorn sheep south of I-40 and north of Amboy.  Vegetation is creosote bush scrub.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Turtle Mountains Wilderness, BLM, California (site 17).  Ecoregion NA1308.  See discussion under National Natural Landmarks.

Wabayuma Peak Wilderness, BLM Kingman Field Office, Arizona (site 89).  The Hualapai Mountains rise 5,000 feet above the desert floor and support both Sonoran and Mojave Desert vegetation, including the northernmost population of saguaro cactus.  The wilderness is the area between Walnut Creek and Mackenzie Wash and east of I-40.  Ecoregions NA1304, 1308 and 1310.

Warm Springs Wilderness, BLM Kingman Field Office, Arizona (site 90).  The wilderness includes the 1,000-foot high Black Mesa, Warm Spring Canyon, and a forest of cacti and ocotillo.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness, BLM Las Vegas Field Office, Nevada (site 91).  Located adjacent to and north of Route 164, this dense stand of Joshua trees is in the Piute Valley.  This area provides mature trees for cavity-nesting birds.  It is an IBA for ash-throated flycatcher.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Whipple Wilderness, BLM, California (site 92).  Located north of Route 62, east of US 95, and west of Parker Dam, the Whipple Mountains have canyons and natural bridges.  Ecoregions NA1308 and NA1310.

 

XV .National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) System

Ash Meadows NWR, Nevada (site 2).  See description under Ramsar sites.

Coachella Valley NWR,California (site 93).  Sand dune habitat provides a sanctuary for the endangered Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard.  There are 11 oases, including the Thousand Palms Oasis with the second largest concentration of fan palms in California.  Ecoregions NA1308 and 1310.

Desert National Wildlife Range, Nevada (site 94).  The largest refuge in the 48 contiguous states covers 1.6 million acres and has six mountain ranges with elevations up to 11,000 feet at the Sheep Range.  It provides bighorn sheep habitat.  The eastern part, which includes the Sheep Range, is an IBA for Mexican whip-poor-will.   Fossil Ridge provides marine fossils from the Paleozoic Era, which ended 250 million years ago.  A small spring in the south part of the refuge provides habitat for the Pahrump Valley poolfish, which was moved here from the Pahrump Valley to the north. Peek-a-Boo Canyon is dotted with caves.  Ecoregions NA515 and 1305.

Havasu NWR, Arizona and California (site 95).  The refuge protects waterfowl in a 30-mile section of the Colorado River, including 20 river miles of the scenic Topock Gorge, and is surrounded by desert vegetation of creosote bush, ocotillo and saguaro.  Desert tortoise and Gila monster may be found, along with desert bighorn sheep and willow flycatcher.  Most is designated wilderness.  The area is part of the Lower Colorado River Valley IBA.  Ecoregions NA1308 and NA1310.

Moapa Valley NWR, Nevada (site 96).  The refuge contains six thermal springs which provide habitat for the endangered Moapa dace.  This oasis in the desert has Washingtonia palms and riparian vegetation, making it an IBA for southwestern willow flycatcher and western yellow-billed cuckoo. Ecoregions NA1305 and 1308.

 

XVI.  Other Federal Sites

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, BLM, California (site 97).  This desert oasis contains riparian woodland and alkali meadow and is an IBA for brown-crested flycatcher, summer tanager, and long-eared owl.  Ecoregion NA1308 and 1310. 

Chemehuevi Wash, BLM California (site 98).  Ecoregion NA1308.  The desert stream is part of the Colorado Desert microphyll woodlands IBA and is noted for long-eared owl, elf owl, and Gila woodpecker.  It is the only known nesting site in California for Bendire’s thrasher.  Ecoregion NA1308.

China Lake Naval Weapons Center, California (site 99). China Lake supports snow geese, waterfowl and shorebirds and is part of the North Mojave Dry Lakes IBA.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Desert Tortoise Natural Area, BLM Ridgecrest District, California (site 27).  This area has one of the highest known densities of the desert tortoise and is managed by a preserve committee.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Edwards Air Force Base, California (site 100).  Pristine Mojave Desert habitats such as mesquite woodland and dry lakes with wetlands are an IBA for white-faced ibis, ducks, and songbirds.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Harper Dry Lake, BLM, California (site 101).  This area is known for snowy plover and birds of prey and is part of the North Mojave Lakes IBA.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Horsethief Spring, BLM, California (site 102).  This is part of the East Mojave Springs IBA and is east of the Kingston Range Wilderness.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Koehn Lake, BLM, California (site 103).  Spring-fed wetlands and raptors qualify this area for inclusion in the North Mojave Dry Lakes IBA.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Oasis Valley, BLM, Nevada (site 104).  This area contains short stretches of permanent water from springs and wetlands in the mostly dry Amargosa River valley and is an IBA for an important bird migration corridor between the Great Basin and the Mojave Desert.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Tule Springs, BLM Las Vegas District, Nevada (site 105).  Just to the north of Las Vegas is a world-renowned fossil mammoth site; also fossils of ground sloth, camelope, lion, and bison were found here.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Virgin River, BLM, Nevada (site 106).  The free-flowing river from Mesquite to the Overton arm of Lake Mead is the only intact river in the Mojave desert and provides riparian habitat for endangered birds.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Ward Valley, BLM, California (site 80).  Initially chosen as a site for low-level radioactive waste disposal in 1988, the site was prevented from this use by legislation signed by California in 2002.  Ecoregion NA1308.

 

XVII.  State and Local Sites

Antelope Valley California Poppy State Natural Reserve, California (site 107).  Eight miles of trails extend through a spring wildflower area.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area, Nevada (site 22).  This aquatic recreation area is located on the Colorado River downstream of Davis Dam, and provides two miles of shoreline, canyons, and washes.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Burns Pinon Ridge Reserve, UC Natural Reserve System, California (site 84).  Located at the triple point of the Mojave Desert, Sonoran Desert, and the Transverse Range of California, this area has pinyon-juniper and Joshua tree habitats.

Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, Nevada (site 26).  This area has 90 acres of ponds which attract waterfowl as well as riparian birds.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Owens Lake, California (site 108).  This alkali playa supports brine flies, which in turn attract birds.  The site is an IBA for shorebirds, ducks, avocet, and snow geese.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Providence Mountains State Recreational Area, California (site 13).  Surrounded by Mojave National Preserve, this park includes Mitchell Caverns National Natural landmark (see), creosote scrub, bighorn sheep, and pinyon pine habitat.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Quail Creek State Park, Utah (site 7).  A reservoir recreation area off I-15.  Ecoregions NA1304 and 1308.

Red Rock Canyon State Park, California (site 103).  More than 27,000 acres of desert cliffs, buttes, and rock formations on the edge of the Mojave desert are reached by four-wheel drive and hiking. Hagan Canyon has a dry waterfall.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park,California (site 107).  Joshua trees grow in the Antelope Valley.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Saddleback Butte State Park, California (site 109).  The butte rises 1,000 feet above the surrounding desert.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Snow Canyon State Park, Utah (site 7).  This area of sandstone cliffs and lava flows is habitat for the desert tortoise.  Trails lead to an extinct volcanic cinder cone and a sandstone area.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, Nevada (site 4).  This 500-acre park is surrounded by the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (see).  Ecoregion NA1308.

Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada (site 18).  See description under National Natural Landmarks.

 

XVIII.  Other Natural Sites

Lytle Ranch, the Nature Conservancy, Utah (site 5).  This preserve managed by Brigham Young University is a migration corridor for migratory birds and an IBA for Gambel’s quail and Lucy’s warbler.  It is near the Nevada state line and includes Beaver Dam wash, a desert oasis with Joshua trees and cholla.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Mojave River, California (site 110).  The rushing brooks of the northern San Bernardino Mountains provide water for the desert, and the river disappears into the sand north of Barstow.  However, the area between Victorville and Helendale provides riparian vegetation for brown-crested flycatcher and summer tanager and is listed as an IBA.  Ecoregion NA1308.

Torrance Ranch Preserve, the Nature Conservancy, Nevada (site 104).  Located in the Oasis Valley east of Death Valley NP, this is an oasis restoration project.  Ecoregion NA 1308.

Walking Box Ranch Preserve, The Nature Conservancy, Nevada (site 91).  Located between the New York Mountains and the Newberry Mountains, this 151,000-acre area contains outstanding desert tortoise habitat.  Ecoregion NA1308.

White Dome Preserve, the Nature Conservancy,Utah (site 7).  The endangered dwarf bear poppy and threatened Siler pincushion cactus are found on gypsum-rich hills on the southern edge of St. George along the Virgin River.  Ecoregion NA1308.