The Gorge along from dirt roads that surrounhd the areas (see displays 500 million years of geologic history. map on reverse). Trailheads for the Paiute area at Cougar Springs on Black Rock Road and the The Paiute and Tilted layers of sandstone and limestone form Paiute & Wilderness Areas are special places where nature vertical cliffs and rugged side canyons. Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area. Other comes first and humans are just visitors. The Recrentionists enjoy sightseeing, hiking and access points occur along the boundiy roads of early settlers in this region rarely entered these backpacking, photography, hunting, technical both areas. areas because of their wild and rugged nature. rockclimbing and river running during certain Beaver Dam Today, visitors enjoy the opportunities for times of the year. Leave No Trace solitude and unconfined, non-mechanized recreation. Access People enter wilderness to escape civilization Mountains The Paiute Wilderness, located in and commune with nature. The Bureau of Land northwestern , contains 84,700 acres. Travel in the wilderness areas is on foot or Management (BLM) requires your help as a The dominate the Paiute, horseback only. Motorized vehicles and wilderness visitor to maintain an untrammeled WlMerness Areas producing a wide range of climatic zones and mechanized equipment are prohibited. Permits setting and preserve the wilderness ecological communities. are not required for non-commerical hiking, characteristics. The 19,600-acre Beaver Dam Mountains horse packing or overnight trips. Field Office wilderness lies in northwestern Arizona and Portions of both wilderness areas may be seen For Your Safety southwestern . The Beaver Dam Mountains from your vehicle while traveling on Interstate make up the major portion of this wilderness 15 through the . Interstate 15 • Water is scarce in the desert environment so area. provides the boundry line between the two ares. bring plenty of your own. Purify any water Elevation in the areas extend from 2,000 feet Black Rock Road provides access to the higher found in the backcountry before drinking. (610m) to 8,000 feet (2,440m) above sea level. crountry of the Paiute. This road is "cherry- • Summers are hot! Avoid being out in the stemmed" through the wilderness meaning that hottest part of the day. Spring and Fall are the it traverses but is not part of it. The road may best times to hike these area. Nights can be Features be reached from St. George Utah, or Mesquite, quite cold. The Paiute and Beaver Dam are noted for Nevada. • Elevation changes can produce large outstanding scenery, geology, natural diversity BLM's Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area, temperature differences. and recreational opportunities. off of Interstate 15, provides an excellent base • Interstate-15 is the only paved road. Check A wide range of ecological communities exists camp for wilderness hikers. From the recreation with the BLM office for current conditions of in the two areas. The Mohave Desert with area, the Paiute Wilerness Area is to the south other roads and weather before your trip. creosote and Joshua trees is at the lower across the Virgin River. To the north lies the • Let someone know where you are going and • elevations. Chaparral and pinyon-juniper Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness Ara. Cedar when you expect to return. woodlands are found a little higher on the Pockets Road begins across the highway from • Watch for rattlesnakes. slopes. On the highest peaks and ridges are the recreation area and is cherry-stemmed • Thunderstorms can bring lightning and flash Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir stands. A through the Beaver Dam floods. . r.r,...... population of mule deer inhabit the Virgin BLM's Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area, • Do not attempt to cross the Virgin River Mountains around Black Rock Mountain. Desert off of Interstate 15, provides an excellent base during high water or after heavy rain storms bighorn sheep, recently re-introduced, are doing camp for wilderness hikers. From the recreation in southwest Utah. well along the rugged Virgin River Gorge. The area, the Paiute Wilderness Area is to the south threatened desert tortoise lives near alluvial fans across the Virgin River. To the north lies the For More Information; and dry washes below the mountains. Small Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness Area. Cedar Arizona Strip Field Office mammals, Gambel's quail, various raptors, Pockets Road begins across the highway from 345 E. Riverside Drive other birds and the Gila monster, America's the recreation area and is cherry-stemmed St. George, UT 84790 only poisonous lizard also live here. through the Beaver Dam Mountains. The Cedar Phone:(435) 688-3246 Throughout the you can observe Pockets Road connects with Highway 91 north www.az.blm.gov this region's unique geology. The Virgin of Littlefield, Arizona. Mountains exhibit extreme faulting and folding Access to the rugged interior of the two actions. wilderness areas is by primitive trails beginning BLM/AZ/GI-99/006