Islands in the Great Basin Desert

Part II of Great Basin, Sierra Nevada, and Wasatch Plateaus

Devil’s Kitchen, the Table, and Weepah Springs

Many of the wilderness areas preserve mountain range sites, which are often forested islands of bristlecone pine forest, as well as volcanic and geologic features.  Many of the remainder of the remote ranges in the Great Basin are de facto wilderness areas.  The Sierra Nevada units are some of the largest and most well-known wilderness areas.  The wildlife refuges preserve the precious desert springs, which host both waterfowl and rare fish.  The largest refuge in the lower 48 states is a preserve for desert bighorn sheep.

For site locations, see map with the part I post in March 2012.

XV.  National Wild and Scenic River System (WSR)

Cottonwood Creek WSR, White Mountain Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, California (site 47). Originating in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, this WSR descends through groves of aspen into the sagebrush desert; 21 miles are a WSR. Ecoregion NA1305.

Kern River, North and South Forks, WSR, Sequoia National Forest and Sequoia National Park, California (site 53). A total of 151 miles of river are in the WSR system. The North Fork in the Golden Trout Wilderness is the longest, linear, glacially sculptured valley in the world. Virgin riparian woodlands are found here. The South Fork is a whitewater river through the Domeland Wilderness. Ecoregion NA527.

Kings River, Middle and North Forks, WSR, Sequoia and Sierra National Forests; Kings Canyon National Park, California (site 15). These are whitewater rivers through the second deepest canyon in North America. A total of 81 river miles are in the WSR system. Ecoregion NA527.

Merced and South Fork Merced WSR, BLM lands, Sierra and Stanislaus National Forests and Yosemite National Park, California (site 54). This includes 122 river miles in the most famous glacially carved valley, Yosemite. Ecoregion NA527 and NA1202.

Owens River Headwaters WSR, Inyo National Forest, California (site 55). The Owens River, Glass, and Deadman Creeks are the 19 miles in the WSR system. Ecoregion NA527.

Tuolumne WSR, Stanislaus National Forest, Yosemite National Park, and BLM, California (site 56). One of the most challenging river runs in California, 83 miles of which are designated as a WSR. Ecoregion NA527.

XVI.  National Wilderness Areas

Alta Toquima Wilderness, Toiyabe NF, Nevada (site 57). This eight-mile long and two-mile wide ridge reaches nearly 12,000 feet in elevation and is vegetated with limber pine and aspen. Ecoregion NA515.

Arc Dome Wilderness, Toiyabe NF, Nevada (site 58). In the Toiyabe Range, much of the area included in this wilderness is above 10,000 feet. Stands of pine and aspen interrupt mostly open high country, which can be viewed from a 30-mile section of the Toiyabe Crest NRT. At the top of Arc Dome are two glacier-created cirques. The wilderness is part of the Toiyabe Range IBA and supports a large greater sage grouse population. Ecoregion NA515.

Arrow Canyon Wilderness, BLM Las Vegas Field Office, Nevada (site 59). 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.

Ashdown Gorge Wilderness, Dixie NF, Utah (site 31). Eroded colorful limestone and a bristlecone pine forest are found in this area adjacent to and to the west of Cedar Breaks NM. Ecoregion NA530.

Bald Mountain Wilderness, Humboldt NF, Nevada (site 60). In the White Pine Range, Bald Mountain is known for high elevation grasslands. Ecoregion NA515.

Becky Peak Wilderness, BLM Ely District, Nevada (site 61). Desert shrubs, pinyon-juniper, and antelope, with bristlecone at the highest elevations above 9,000 feet. Ecoregion NA1305.

Big Rocks Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 62). In the North Pahroc Range, large boulder fields and unusual volcanic rock formations dot the sagebrush and pinyon-juniper canyons. Ecoregion NA1305.

Boundary Peak Wilderness, Inyo NF, Nevada (site 63). The highest point in Nevada offers a grand view and 600-million year old fossils. Ecoregion NA1305.

Box-Death Hollow Wilderness, Dixie NF, Utah (site 64). Two deep canyons are preserved in this wilderness; the plateaus on top are vegetated with pinyon-juniper. Ecoregions NA530 and NA1304.

Bristlecone Wilderness, BLM Ely District, Nevada (site 65). In the Egan Range, groves of aspen grow in Rattlesnake Canyon, and bristlecone pines are on the high ridges. Ecoregion NA1305.

Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, Stanislaus and Toiyabe NFs, California (site 66). Volcanic ridges and peaks including the Dardanelles are found in the wilderness. Ecoregion NA527.

Chimney Peak Wilderness, BLM, California (site 67). These canyons at the southern tip of the Sierra Nevada contain cottonwoods, cactus, pinyon pine, and Joshua trees. Chimney Creek is a trout stream. Ecoregion NA527.

Clover Mountains Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 68). To the north of the Meadow Valley Range are the volcanic peaks of the Clover Mountains. A year-round stream, Cottonwood Creek, flows through the area. Higher elevations of aspen and ponderosa pine give way to pinyon-juniper and sagebrush with some Joshua trees at lower elevations. Ecoregion NA1305.

Cougar Canyon Wilderness, BLM, Utah (site 69). The Bull Valley Mountains adjacent to Beaver Dam State Park in Nevada are covered with pinyon-juniper, manzanita, and scrub oak. Ecoregion NA1305.

Currant Mountain Wilderness, Humboldt NF, Nevada (site 60). The northernmost herd of desert bighorn sheep are found here, along with the White Pine Research Natural Area. Ecoregion NA 515.

Death Valley Wilderness, California and Nevada (site 32). The wilderness area is 3 million acres, or 99 percent of the park. See Death Valley NP.

Delamar Mountains Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 70). Deep canyons bordered by cliffs and desert bighorn sheep, including the Mormon Mesa Desert Tortoise ACEC. Ecoregion NA1305.

Dinkey Lakes Wilderness, Sierra NF, California (site 71). Lodgepole pine with 16 lakes, meadows, and granite outcroppings. Ecoregion NA527.

Doc’s Pass Wilderness, BLM, Utah (site 69). Located in the Bull Valley Mountains adjacent to Beaver Dam State Park in Nevada. Ecoregion NA1305.

Domeland Wilderness, Sequoia NF and BLM, California (site 72). This marks the transition from the southernmost Sierra Nevada Mountains into the deserts. Church Dome is one of the scenic rock formations. Included is the South Fork Kern River National Wild and Scenic River and a section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Ecoregions NA527 and NA1203.

Emigrant Wilderness, Stanislaus NF, California (site 73). Characterized by volcanic ridges and peaks in the high Sierra, the area drains into the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers and includes one of the emigrant trails to California. Ecoregion NA527.

Far South Egans Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 74). The mountain range rises more than 4,000 feet above surrounding topography and has limestone cliffs. Large stands of ponderosa pine are above 7,000 feet. Ecoregion NA1305.

Fortification Range Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 75). A 13-mile long mountain composed of volcanic tuff has a large natural amphitheater. Ecoregion NA1305.

Golden Trout Wilderness, Inyo and Sequoia NFs, California (site 53). Includes the Kern Plateau and the North and South Forks Kern National Wild and Scenic Rivers. Ecoregion NA527.

Goshute Canyon Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 76). Massive white limestone cliffs in the Cherry Creek Range are vegetated with pockets of aspen and fir. Goshute  Cave is also in the area. Ecoregion NA1305.

Government Peak Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 77). This is a pinyon-juniper-covered area north of Mount Moriah on the Utah border. Ecoregion NA1305.

Granite Mountain Wilderness, BLM, California (site 78). Sagebrush, basaltic flows from Cowtrack Mountain, and archaeological sites located to the east of Mono Lake. Ecoregion NA1305.

Grant Range Wilderness, Humboldt NF, Nevada (site 79). The 11,000-foot mountains are known for raptors. Ecoregion NA515.

Highland Ridge Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 80). On the southern end of the Snake Range, adjacent to Great Basin NP, is this area that rises from sagebrush to bristlecone pine. Ecoregion NA1305.

High Schells Wilderness, Ely Ranger District, Humboldt NF, Nevada (site 81). A long ridge with continuous elevations above 11,000 feet hosts bristlecone and limber pines. Ecoregions NA515 and NA1305.

Hoover Wilderness, Inyo and Toiyabe NFs, California (site 82). This region of alpine lakes and meadows is adjacent to Yosemite NP. Ecoregion NA527.

Jennie Lakes Wilderness, Giant Sequoia National Monument, California (site 42). Includes 10,000-foot mountains adjacent to Sequoia NP. Ecoregion NA527.

Inyo Mountains Wilderness, Inyo NF and BLM, California (site 83). There are 11,000-foot mountains topped with bristlecone pines and eight canyons with year-round streams. Ecoregions NA1305 and NA1308.

John Krebs Wilderness, Sequoia NP, California (site 84). Includes the Redwood Mountain Grove and Old Hockett Trail, along with caves. Ecoregion NA527.

Kaiser Wilderness, Sierra NF, California (site 4). Red fir and Jeffrey pine forests with 18 small lakes, located to the west of Huntington Lake. Ecoregion NA527.

Meadow Valley Range Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 85). The 36-mile ridgeline of the Meadow Valley Range includes conical Sunflower Mountain and a natural arch. Vegetation is desert shrubs and pinyon-juniper. Ecoregion NA1305.

Mokelumne Wilderness, Eldorado, Stanislaus, and Toiyabe NFs, California (site 86). This is a volcanic area that has been shaped by glaciers. The Mokelumne River canyon adds scenic variety. Ecoregion NA527.

Monarch Wilderness, Sequoia and Sierra NFs, California (site 87). This area includes rugged mountains to the west of Kings Canyon NP that are vegetated with chaparral and pine. Ecoregion NA527.

Mormon Mountains Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 88). On the border between the Great Basin and Mojave Desert, the Mormon Mountains contain old growth ponderosas pine, archaeological, and paleontological sites. Ecoregions NA1305 and 1308.

Mount Charleston Wilderness, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Nevada (site 89). This area contains the largest contiguous ancient bristlecone pine forest, at 18,000 acres. Ecoregion NA515.

Mount Grafton Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 90). This area in the Schell Creek Range has aspen, mountain mahogany, and bristlecone pine forests with large populations of elk and mule deer. Ecoregion NA1305.

Mount Irish Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 91). A mountain range and canyons located with pinyon-juniper, bighorn sheep, and rock art sites. Ecoregion NA1305.

Mount Moriah Wilderness, Humboldt NF, Nevada (site 92). The Table, a high elevation plateau with bristlecone pine, is a notable feature. The Snake Range, which includes this area and Great Basin NP, is an IBA. Ecoregion NA515.

Mount Nebo Wilderness, Uinta NF, Utah (site 93). Life zones from sagebrush to timberline are found at this area centered on the highest peak in Utah. The Devil’s Kitchen Geologic Area has hoodoos similar to those in Bryce Canyon. Ecoregion NA530.

Mount Rose Wilderness, Toiyabe NF, Nevada (site 94). The Carson Range, including 10,776-foot Mount Rose, is included along with meadows and small lakes.  Ecoregion NA527 and NA1305.

John Muir Wilderness, Inyo and Sierra National Forests, California. This 652,000-acre area extends for 100 miles north to south and includes 590 miles of trails.  It is known for snowcapped mountains with glacially carved lakes. Ecoregion NA527.

Owens Peak Wilderness, BLM, California (site 67). 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. Ecoregions NA527, NA1203, and NA1308.

Owens River Headwaters Wilderness, Inyo NF, California (site 95). The largest old-growth red fir forest, along with Glass Creek Meadows. Ecoregion NA527.

Parsnip Peak Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 96). Aspens, mountain mahogany, and pockets of fir provide habitat for bald eagles in the Wilson Creek Range. Ecoregion NA1305.

Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness, Dixie NF, Utah (site 52). A spruce, pine, fir and aspen forest grows on this island in the desert centered on 10,000-foot Signal Peak. Ecoregion NA530.

Piper Mountain Wilderness, BLM, California (site 25). Located to the north of Death Valley NP, this is an area covered with sagebrush and pinyon-juniper forest. Ecoregion NA1305.

Quinn Canyon Wilderness, Humboldt NF, Nevada (site 79). A remote mountain located in central Nevada, with small stands of bristlecone pine above pinyon-juniper forest. Ecoregion NA515 and NA1305.

Red Mountain Wilderness, Humboldt NF, Nevada (site 60). This volcanic mountain is known for its red-orange color. Ecoregion NA1305.

Sacatar Trail Wilderness, BLM, California (site 67). The transition between the Sierra Nevada and Mojave desert includes Joshua trees and pinyon-juniper. Ecoregions NA527 and NA1308.

Schellback Wilderness, Humboldt NF, Nevada (site 97). The area is noted for springs along its western exposure which allow a diversity of vegetation and wildlife in the otherwise desert area. Ecoregion NA1305.

Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness, California (site 3). See Kings Canyon and Sequoia NPs in Man and the Biosphere Reserve list.

Slaughter Creek Wilderness, BLM, Utah (site 69). Located in the Bull Valley Mountains adjacent to the Dixie NF and Beaver Dam SP in Nevada. Ecoregion NA1305.

South Egan Range Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 98). This mountain has 4,000-foot high walls. Ecoregion NA1305.

South Pahroc Range Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 99). This volcanic ridge is noted for large rounded boulders amid volcanic tuff deposits and is covered with pinyon-juniper vegetation. Ecoregion NA1305.

South Sierra Wilderness, Inyo and Sequoia NFs, California (site 100). High elevation meadow lands, fir, and pinyon-juniper. Ecoregion NA527.

Sylvania Mountains Wilderness, BLM, California (site 101). This is an area of sagebrush and pinyon-juniper to the north of Death Valley NP. Ecoregion NA1305.

Table Mountain Wilderness, Toiyabe NF, Nevada (site 102). A 10,000-foot high plateau in the Monitor Range with aspens and trout streams is the distinctive feature of this wilderness area. The plateau supports mule deer and elk. Ecoregion NA515.

Tunnel Spring Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 103). This area on the Utah border adjacent to Beaver Dam State Park has five miles of perennial trout streams. Ecoregion NA1305.

Weepah Spring Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 104). The largest stand of ponderosa pine in eastern Nevada complements an area of hoodoos, natural arches, paleontological, and rock art sites. The White River Narrows Archaeological District is the largest rock art site in the state. Ecoregion NA1305.

White Mountain Wilderness, Inyo NF, California (site 105). The largest and highest desert range in North America includes Cottonwood Creek Wild and Scenic River. Ecoregion NA 1305.

White Pine Range Wilderness, Humboldt NF, Nevada (site 97). Rocky canyons and high elevation pine forests are found here. Ecoregions NA515 and NA1305.

White Rock Range Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 106). This 9,000-foot mountain on the Utah border contains a high plateau with aspens and white fir. Ecoregion NA1305.

Worthington Mountains Wilderness, BLM, Nevada (site 107). This range rises 4,000 feet above the surrounding topography and contains natural arches, ancient bristlecone pine forest, and limestone caves. Ecoregion NA1305.

Yosemite Wilderness, Yosemite NP, California (site 1). The wilderness is 94 percent of the park. See listing under World Heritage Sites.

XVII.  National Wildlife Refuge System (NWR)

Anaho Island NWR, Pyramid Lake Paiute Lands (site 108). An island in Pyramid Lake supports a breeding colony of white pelicans and is an IBA. Also cormorants, gulls, and terns breed here. Ecoregion NA1305.

Desert National Wildlife Range, Nevada (site 109). 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. Ecoregions NA515 and 1305.

Fallon NWR, Nevada (site 5). Greasewood and saltbush shrublands and active sand dunes at the terminus of the Carson River, adjacent to Stillwater WMA and Lahontan Valley Wetlands site of WHSRN. Ecoregion NA1305.

Fish Springs NWR, Utah (site 110). Lush spring-fed wetlands provide habitat for the Utah chub and migratory birds. This is an IBA for migratory waterfowl and is the only wetland within 50 miles in this part of the Great Basin. Ecoregion NA1305.

Moapa Valley NWR, Nevada (site 111). The refuge contains six thermal springs which provide habitat for the endangered Moapa dace. Ecoregions NA1305 and 1308.

Pahranagat Valley NWR, Nevada (site 112). This refuge adjacent to Desert National Wildlife Range was established for migratory waterfowl. Springs provide water for four impoundments, all along US Route 93. The NWR and adjoining Key-Pittman Wildlife Management Area are an IBA for songbirds and waterfowl. Ecoregion NA1305.

Stillwater NWR and Wildlife Management Area, Nevada (site 5). See description under WHSRN. Ecoregion NA1305.

XVIII.  Other Federal Sites

Bodie ACEC, BLM Bishop Field Office, California (site 113). The Bodie Hills are part of the Mono Highlands IBA, notable for greater sage grouse and vesper sparrow. Ecoregion NA1305.

Carson River Delta, BLM, Nevada (site 35). The area from Fort Churchill to Lahontan Reservoir has riparian cottonwood-willow habitat and is an IBA for yellow-billed cuckoo and willow flycatcher. Ecoregion NA1305.

Carson Valley, BLM, Nevada (site 114). An IBA for tri-colored blackbirds and sandhill cranes. Ecoregion NA527 and NA1305.

Goshen Bay, BLM, Utah (site 115). Mudflats and wet meadows at the south end of Utah Lake are an IBA. Ecoregion NA1305.

Hawthorne Army Depot, Nevada (site 116). Mount Grant, to the southwest of Walker Lake, has not been grazed for 70 years and is an IBA for the greater sage grouse. Ecoregion NA1305.

Meadow Valley Wash, BLM, Nevada (site 117). From the Clark –Lincoln County line north to Caliente, the river provides wetlands and seeps for a migration corridor and is an IBA. Ecoregion 1305.

Monitor Valley, BLM, Nevada (site 118). Between the Toquima and Monitor Ranges, this IBA for sage grouse includes BLM and Forest Service lands. Ecoregion NA515 and NA1305.

Railroad Valley Wildlife Management Area, BLM, Nevada (site 138). The Railroad Valley springfish, desert dace, and five snails are endemic. Ecoregion NA1305.

Scott’s Basin, BLM, Utah (site 119). This area protected through a purchase by the Nature Conservancy protects a broad meadow at 8,100 feet in the Deep Creek Mountains. Ecoregion NA1305.

Swan Lake Nature Study Area, BLM and Washoe County, Nevada (site 120). Located in the Lemmon Valley north of Reno, this area is known for tundra swan and burrowing owl. It ranges in size from 100 acres to 1,000 acres depending on seasonal rainfall. Ecoregion NA1305.

Walker Lake, BLM, Nevada (site 121). An IBA for water birds such as western snowy plover and grebes; it contains the largest congregation west of the Mississippi for common loon. Ecoregion NA1305.

XIX.  State and Local Sites

Beaver Dam State Park, Nevada (site 103). Deep canyons, trout streams, waterfalls, and trails are found in this ponderosa pine forested area at 5,000 feet elevation on the Utah border. The waterfall is the outflow from a hot spring. Ecoregion NA1305.

Berlin-Icthyosaur State Park, Nevada (site 24). See National Natural Landmarks.

Cathedral Gorge State Park, Nevada (site 122). Cathedral-like spires in eroded volcanic material (siltstone and bentonite clay) are characteristic of this park, which offers trails among the eroded formations. Ecoregion NA1305.

Cave Lake State Park, Nevada (site 81). A reservoir at 7,300 feet in the Schell Creek Range in a pinyon-juniper forest provides a base for hiking and fishing.. Ecoregion NA1305.

Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area, Utah (site 123). This waterfowl area for snow geese and ducks is an IBA in the Sevier Desert. Ecoregion nA1305.

Crowley Lake, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, California (site 55). This area, created by a dam on the Owens River, is a vast alkai meadow and an IBA for greater sage grouse, bank swallow, snowy plover. Ecoregion NA1305.

Dayton State Park, Nevada (site 124). This is a riparian area east of Carson City. Ecoregion NA1305.

Echo Canyon State Park, Nevada (site125). The park offers hiking trails to Ash Canyon and is a reservoir recreation area. Ecoregion NA1305.

Grover Hot Springs State Park, Markleeville, California (site 126). The 102-degree, green-colored springs are at the edge of the Great Basin and are surrounded by open pine and sagebrush areas. Trails lead to a waterfall. Ecoregion NA527 and NA1305.

Kershaw-Ryan State Park, Nevada (site 127). Desert scenery amid 700-foot canyon walls. Ecoregion NA1305.

Lahontan State Recreation Area, Nevada (Site 35). See federal recreation lakes.

Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, Nevada (site 50). The Sand Harbor area includes part of the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe. The Marlette-Hobart area offers 13,000 acres of hiking and backpacking areas, including part of the Tahoe Rim NRT. Ecoregion NA527.

Mountain Home State Forest, California (site 49). North of Camp Nelson, this area contains the Mountain Home grove of giant sequoias. Ecoregion NA527.

Owens River, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, California (site 136). Between Bishop and Owens Lake, the city is restoring habitat along the aqueduct and the area has become an IBA for bank swallow, willow flycatcher, and rails. Ecoregion NA1305.

Palisade State Park, Utah (site 128). A reservoir recreation area. Ecoregion NA530.

Piute State Park, Utah (site 129). A reservoir recreation area. Ecoregion NA530.

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Reservation, Nevada (site 108). This is the terminus of the Truckee River. Low flows in the past, due to diversions for irrigation, have created a barrier to the migratory cui-ui fish. When there is enough water, the adults migrate up the Truckee River to spawn. Pyramid Lake is known for its tufa formations and bird life, including the American white pelican at Anaho Island. Ecoregion NA 1305.

Scofield State Park, Utah (site 37). See federal recreation lakes.

Spring Valley State Park, Nevada (site 130). A reservoir recreation area. Ecoregion NA1305.

Washoe Lake State Park, Nevada (site 131). Wetlands for migratory birds, sand dunes, and sagebrush habitats. Ecoregion NA1305.

Yuba State Park, Utah (site 132). A reservoir recreation area. Ecoregion NA1305.

XX.  Other Natural Sites

Bentley-Kirman Field, Nevada (site 133). This private area operated by Bently Agrowdynamics and the Nature Conservancy offers trails through the Carson River riparian area. Ecoregion NA1305.

Centennial/Dressler Ranch, Bridgeport Valley, California (site 134). This property of the California Rangeland Trust is an IBA for the Mono sage grouse with extensive grassland and wet meadows. Ecoregion NA1305.

Kern River Preserve (Audubon), California (site 135). An IBA with lowland riparian woodland is habitat for yellow-billed cuckoo, summer tanager, willow flycatcher, yellow warbler, and song sparrow. Ecoregion NA527.

River Fork Ranch, Nature Conservancy, Genoa, Nevada (site 114). This area at the confluence of the east and west forks of the Carson River is a nesting site for sandhill cranes. Ecoregion 527.

Topaz Lake, California and Nevada (site 137). The drawdown area has waterfowl and shorebird habitat and is designaed as an IBA. Ecoregion NA1305.