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Bighorn Proposed Additions to the Hoover Wilderness

Managing agency: Inyo National Forest

Size: Approximately 14,720 acres.

Location: West of highway 395 between Lundy Canyon and Tioga Pass Road.

Description: Consisting mostly of a high plateau rolling up to 10,000 and 11,000 foot peaks, the Bighorn Additions are home to a re-introduced population of the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. Wilderness status for the Bighorn additions would permanently protect this fragile habitat necessary for the survival of the bighorn sheep and, together with the potential Bodie Hills and Granite Mountains wilderness areas, would complete a crescent of protected land rimming the northern half of the Mono Basin.

The rocky, alpine habitat of the Bighorn potential additions supports a herd of re-introduced Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, a federally listed endangered species. Miniature rock gardens of alpine wildflowers cover the high plateau of the Warren Bench and mountain slopes in spring and summer, while bright red and gold aspens line the creeks and meadows in fall.

When connected with the Bodie Hills potential wilderness and the Granite Mountain potential wilderness, the Bighorn additions to the Hoover Wilderness would create a protected arc of land around the northern Mono Basin. This wilderness crescent would preserve quality habitat and migration corridors for sage grouse, mule deer, Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep and large carnivores, like bobcat and mountain lion.

Shafts, tailings piles and crumbling buildings are all that remains of the area's mining past. Scattered piles of obsidian flakes and finished arrowheads mark Native American use of the Bighorn area as a fair-season hunting ground.

Hiking is popular along the Warren Bench and up the peaks on its western edge. Mount Warren, Lee Vining Peak and Mono Dome affords the most spectacular views of the Mono Basin and Mono Lake from anywhere in the region. Prairie falcons, bighorn sheep, alpine paintbrush and bitterroot draw naturalists into the Bighorn area each summer to wander along aspen-lined creeks and over rolling alpine terrain. Spring is a popular time for backcountry ski touring.

The steep, undeveloped Sierra scarp along the west shore of Mono Lake provides one of the many scenic backdrops which draw people to the Mono Basin and has led to the designation of Highway 395 as a Scenic Byway. Access to the Warren Bench, the Log Cabin Mine and the Boy Scout Log Cabin Wilderness Camp would not be affected by the proposal. Wilderness status would not affect current hunting rules and regulations. Through no claims are currently active within the area, the possibility of mining still exists, especially in the eastern portion of the potential wilderness. Mining would not only permanently alter this fragile habitat and displace endangered bighorn sheep, but could pollute water flowing down into Lee Vining Creek, damage a major trout fishery and mar the scenic quality of the western Mono Basin.

Wilderness designation for the Bighorn proposed additions would maintain the status quo for these amazing lands, while helping to keep the Mono Basin one of California's wildest places.

For additional information, please contact:
Sally Miller
The Wilderness Society
Phone: (760) 647-1614
Email: sally_miller@tws.org

Or:
Paul McFarland
Friends of the Inyo
P.O. Box 64
Lee Vining, CA 93541
(760) 647-0079
Email: pmcfarland@qnet.com
Web site: www.friendsoftheinyo.org