Wildrose Wash Endangered Desert Legacy

Location: The Wildrose Wash area is located in the Mojave Desert, in Inyo County, about 25 miles north of the town of Trona. The area is located south of Death Valley National Park and east of the Argus Range Wilderness. It abuts or lies very near to the western edge of Surprise Canyon Wilderness. The southern portion of the area lies to the east of Trona Wildrose Road, while the northern portion lies to the north/northwest of Trona Wildrose Road.

Management Agency: Bureau of Land Management, Ridgecrest Field Office

Description: The Wildrose Wash area lies within the Panamint Valley, an expansive internally-drained closed basin that retains water and does not allow outflow to the ocean or other external bodies of water. Panamint Valley contains several ephemeral lakes that hold water after big rains. The beautiful, multicolored Argus Range can be seen to the west and the Panamint Range to the east.

Wildlife and Plants: Species that make this area their home include the endangered Inyo California Towhee, and the protected desert bighorn sheep (photo above). Other species that make this area home include Townsend’s Big- eared bat, prairie falcon, Pallid bat, Panamint alligator lizard, Antioch multilid wasp, Pinyon rockcress, Panamint dudleya, Panamint Mountains lupine, Hoffmann’s buckwheat, Amargosa beardtongue, American badger, Death Valley round-leaved phacelia, Pinyon Mesa buckwheat, Mormon needle grass, Death Valley sandpaper-plant, and polished blazing-star. This area has ten distinct plant communities, including Mojave Riparian Forest and Mesquite Bosque. The rare Panamint Daisy can also be found in this area (photo above).

Activities: Many people visit this area, including nature enthusiasts, equestrians, photographers, star-gazers, and hunters. Rockhounds visit nearby mines to collect onyx. In the spring, wildflower viewers flock to this area. Campers enjoy staying at nearby Wildrose Campground located within Death Valley National Park. Hikers, back packers and peak-baggers trek the nearby trails to Wildrose Peak and Telescope Peak, also within Death Valley National Park. Telescope Peak, with an elevation of 11,043 feet is the highest peak in Death Valley National Park. Off-roaders enjoy the nearby 28-mile Nadeau National Recreation Trail.

Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan – California Wilderness Coalition Like us on facebook For more information contact: Linda Castro, 760.221.4895, [email protected] to get involved