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Wildflowers in Death Valley National Park Wilderness August 2009 Desert News Update Renew or become a CWC member to help keep California wild! Click here to donate through our secure website. As you know by now, the CWC has been leading the charge to protect over 400,000 acres of new wilderness in the California desert. The lands we are working to protect encompass some of the most scenic and unique desert landscapes in the world. From the abundant, year-round water flow of Surprise Canyon to the towering 500-year old Palo Verde trees near Indian Pass, these wilderness-worthy lands need your help today. The areas we are working to protect provide habitat for a wide range of desert species, protect rich Native American cultural resources, and provide outstanding grounds for archaeological and geological research. These assets along with incomparable recreational opportunities make the desert one of the most important parts of California's landscape. The desert is currently being ravaged by numerous threats including off-road vehicle abuse, mining, utility corridors, and development. The ecological diversity, peaceful solitude, and striking landscapes will be lost forever if we don’t protect these wilderness areas now. We need your help to do this. Whether you’re a life-long member or a first-time contributor, please consider making a special gift toward the preservation of one of California’s greatest treasures—our wild public lands. Your gift of $25, $50, $100 or more will give us the resources necessary to gain permanent protection for the California desert. Help keep these places just as they are today so that our children and grandchildren can experience the natural beauty of our great state. Click here to donate through our secure website Thanks in advance for your support! Sincerely, Your CWC Desert team: Monica Argandoña, Desert Program Director Laurel Williams, Desert Field Organizer Catherine Nicklin, Desert Field Organizer
Upcoming hikes, camping trips, and eventsJoin the California Wilderness Coalition and partner groups to see the spectacular wild desert areas and rivers that are being proposed for wilderness protection. All outings are free and open to the public. Reserve your spot in advance by contacting the hike leader listed. September Sat. 12 th Deep Creek Day Hike Deep Creek flows out of the San Bernardino National Forest and into the great Mojave River, providing important habitat for a variety of wildlife including bobcats, bears, bighorn sheep and the endangered Southwestern Arroyo Toad. Join us for a moderate 7.5 mile round trip hike along the proposed wild and scenic section of the river. We’ll be following the famous Pacific Crest Trail and will likely get our feet wet and cool off in the river! For details, contact Marisa mlcalderon@msn.com Sat. 19 th Indian Pass Day Hike This section of the Sonoran desert has long been important to the Quechan tribe and is a truly magnificent area of rugged peaks and desert washes along the Colorado River. We’ll hike about 4 miles round trip and cross country through the largest Sonoran woodland in North America. Our hike will allow us to get views of the Palo Verde Mountains, the Trigo Mountains, and the Colorado river. For details, contact Laurel 909-260-8833 lwilliams@calwild.org October Sat. 10 th Castle Mountains Auto Tour & Day Hike with Lunch at Hotel Nipton The Castle Mountains are located along the California-Nevada border and are surrounded on three sides by the Mojave National Preserve. We’ll drive past the densest Joshua Tree forest in the world and take a few short hikes to experience interesting desert species, expansive views, and the history of the Hart mine area. We’ll also enjoy lunch at the unique Hotel Nipton. For details, contact Laurel 909-260-8833 lwilliams@calwild.org Sat. & Sun. 17 th-18th Exploring the Soda Mountains East of Barstow and north of I-15, the Soda Mountain Wilderness Study Area (WSA) is rugged and largely unknown. We will car camp Saturday evening in the open flats near the Cronese Lakes. With an early start on Sunday we will have a full day to hike and explore the ridges and deep washes that define much of the area. Our experience will help us appreciate this unique place and comment upon the future of this WSA. Hike is moderate in difficulty. Join us for the day or overnight. There will be a potluck on Saturday evening. For details contact leader: Craig Deutsche, (310-477-6670), craig.deutsche@gmail.com. November Sat. & Sun. 7th-8th Death Valley “Bowling Alley” Car Camp & Hike This narrow strip of land between Death Valley National Park and Fort Irwin is lovingly referred to as the “Bowling Alley” and is an ideal wilderness candidate. With unique and beautiful geology, several perennial springs, and habitat for desert tortoise and bighorn sheep, we’ll have lots to explore! We will drive in on some rough routes and then day hike from our car/tent camp site. Potluck dinner Saturday night. Join us for the day or overnight. Hike leaders: Kate Allen & Carol Wiley. Contact Laurel 909-260-8833 lwilliams@calwild.org for details. Sat. & Sun. 21 st-22 nd Surprise Canyon Surprise Canyon is a beautiful desert canyon with a year-round stream on the eastern edge of the Panamint Valley. This canyon was once degraded by extreme off road vehicle use but is now recovering. We will hike and rock scramble several miles up the canyon to explore the proposed wild and scenic river and riparian habitat. Car/tent camp and potluck dinner in the flats of the Surprise Canyon wilderness on Saturday night. Join us for the day or overnight. Hike leader: Tom Budlong. Contact Laurel 909-260-8833 lwilliams@calwild.org for more details.
Avawatz Mountains and Death Valley Proposed Wilderness Additions |
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