V/ILDERNESS STUDY AREAS
HART MOUNTAIN
HART MOUNTAIN STUDY AREAS
Within Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge there is still room to wander out of sight and sound of everyday existence. Established in 1936 to preserve and protect antelope and other wildlife, this 241,000-acre refuge can also serve as sanctuary for men and women who seek quiet and change. Hart Mountain is located in Lake County, south central Oregon. Open range is the rule in this area, with people and settlements few and far between. Lakeview (population 3,200), most important community in the county, is 65 miles southwest of refuge headquarters. No one knows when men first came to Hart Mountain, but archeologists believe they were in the area at least 9,000 (and possibly as much as 20,000) years ago. Aboriginal people had southern Oregon to themselves until about 1840 when they were joined by a long procession of furtrappers, gold seekers, settlers and ranchers. In ensuing years the land was overgrazed, wildlife declined from overshooting and livestock competition, and homesteaders built and abandoned their way across the high desert. Surprisingly, although the region was seriously misused, few signs of depletion were noticeable to untrained eyes. Through the worst of it, and into recent years of much im- proved land and wildlife management, Hart Mountain and surrounding areas have kept a wilderness flavor. There are now few large roadless tracts left, but the region is still wild and largely unsettled. Two parcels of land within the refuge qualified for study under provisions of the Wilderness Act of September 3, 1964 (Public Law 88-577). Their value as units of the National Wilderness Preservation System is discussed in the following pages. Few other "high desert" lands are scheduled for wilder- ness evaluation. FORT WARNER STUDY AREA
Included within this study area are 24,900 acres of the western escarpment and summit area of Hart Mountain. High cliffs are present both east and west, and several deep, rugged canyons cut into the western flanks. Sage- brush and rabbitbrush are dominant vegetation over most of the area, although juniper and mountain mahogany are fairly extensive. Aspen and willow form narrow strips along creeks, and a few scattered yellow pines dot western hillsides. Elevations range from about 4,500 to 8,000 feet above sea level. Fort Warner summers are warm, although frosts may occur any time of year. Precipitation is relatively light (10-15 inches annually), coming mostly as snow during cold, windy winters. Mule deer and antelope are common spring through fall; mountain sheep stay on the area throughout the year. Sage grouse, chukar partridge and other small birds and mammals find adequate food and cover. Public use now includes deer hunting, hiking and "rock hounding." Cattle graze part of the area in summer and early fall. There is little evidence of human use within the study area. Two truck trails enter it, but these are impassable to most vehicles and can be closed to all but occasional administrative use. A few old fences and homesteads remain but are gradually falling apart. A fenced pasture, used for reestablishing mountain sheep on the refuge, bisects the area but can be removed in a few years when the project is completed. mi
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.;,; >* &t* ¥&'•''>':••*** *"»* '.;,'*; >T*A:> "4 .:.'* V#SL ; ^-. . * *• ,.»-*. ••*«*, ' .^ 1 *'.. i-iilj* -. ,*•' A radio relay station perches on private land on the high point of Hart Moun- tain. It is a permanent fixture. The southern half of the study area contains several scattered parcels of private land. No further developments are planned for the area. Hunting, hiking, amateur rockhounding and grazing are permitted and will be continued. JIM V-RIDG VICINITY MAP STONE CORR ^ \POKER JIM SPRING \SWILDERNlSSH ' .u* / V1' ^^""^^ ~~ ". LEGEND BOUNDARY OF STUDY AREAS = ==== ROADS -\— TRUCK TRAILS REFUGE BOUNDARY ISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE DIVISION OF ENGINEERING HAR1 MOUNTAIN NATIONAL AN1 LOPE REFUGE Wll DERNESS STUDY AREAS LAKE COUNTY tf ****.' POKER JIM RIDGE STUDY AREA This wilderness study area is north of Hart Mountain refuge headquarters and includes 17,130 acres of high desert terrain. Main features are a nearly vertical escarpment rising 2,500 feet from Warner Valley, and a gently-sloping 7,000-foot high summit plateau. Short sage and other low-growing desert plants are found wherever there is adequate soil. An open stand of juniper is important for Poker Jim wildlife and adds considerable scenic interest to the ridge. Water is limited to a few intermittent streams. Climate is similar to that of the Fort Warner area, except precipitation averages several inches less. Antelope use Poker Jim in summer and fall. Mule deer and sage grouse find the area attractive in winter when snow blankets higher portions of the refuge. Coyote, porcupines, bobcats and other small animals are found on the ridge throughout the year. Recreational users are currently limited to a few deer and quail hunters, but opportunity exists for hiking and related outdoor activities. Cattle grazing occurs on portions of the study area. No development is planned for Poker Jim Ridge. Management will be restricted to protecting wildlife and rangelands and preserving wilderness atmosphere. ?>>•-;;::; *-*-:-- 8 . ! "'^. • f • i &:; fi • ~^V*.-£ :' ' "" s „ , , , , - • ^ *:•* *•-• - : „ .• , • m ,fc ' :-'» H : : ? - •- ' •..**,„ ;M* --.^-iss> «hA-.*"s- i P •** *•. •. .51 < ' ,' ; * Created in 1849, the Department of the Interior—a department of con- servation—is concerned with the management, conservation, and devel- opment of the nation's water, fish, wildlife, mineral, forest, and park and recreational resources. It also has major responsibilities for Indian and Territorial affairs. As the nation's principal conservation agency, the Department works to assure that nonrenewable resources are developed and used wisely, that park and recreational resources are conserved for the future, and that renewable resources make their full contribution to the progress, pros- perity, and security of the United States—now and in the future. February, 1967 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE STUDY AREA LOCAT VICINITY MAP 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 WILDERNES CORR •u±\POKER JIM SPRING LOWER CAMPBELL LAKE LEGEND BOUNDARY OF STUDY AREAS 11 ——^— ROADS - TRUCK TRAILS — —REFUGE BOUNDARY FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE DIVISION OF ENGINEERING HAR1 MOUNTAIN NATIONAL ANTELOPE REFUGE WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS LAKE COUNTY