Ship Mountains Endangered Desert Legacy Location: The Ship Mountains area is located in the Mojave Desert, in San Bernardino County. It is located north of Cadiz Dunes Wilderness and south of Route 66. It is east of Cadiz Road and west of Skeleton Pass Road. The area abuts the northeastern side of the Cadiz Valley. Management Agency: Bureau of Land ManaGement, Needles Field Office Description: The Ship Mountains stretch about nine miles from west to east from the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad to Skeleton Pass. From north to south, they are only about 3.5 miles wide. The mountains dominate the northern portion, while bajadas and washes sloping down from the Old Woman Mountains to the east comprise the remainder of the area. Elevations in the area ranGe from about 750 feet to about 3,250 feet. Wildlife and Plants: Species that make this area their home include the protected desert bighorn sheep, and the threatened desert tortoise (photo above). The area has been desiGnated critical habitat for the desert tortoise. Other species that can be found here include the burrowing owl, California leaf-nosed bat, Harwood's eriastrum, Mojave frinGe-toed lizard, and white-marGined beardtonGue (photo above). The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has also identified this area as a wildlife miGration corridor. Cultural Importance: The Ship Mountains and surroundinG lands are of Great cultural importance to indigenous people. The Chemehuevi and other neiGhborinG tribes have traveled Mojave trails, includinG those leadinG from the Ship Mountains to and from the Old Woman Mountains, for thousands of years. They still use the valley floor to collect food and medicinal herbs. The area is an eXtremely important sacred and symbolic place. Their stories about travels, hunts, and GatherinGs in this area are tantamount to what they describe as their own “Old Testament,” which give them belonGing to this special place. Activities: This area is visited by Route 66 enthusiasts, nature lovers, hikers, campers, equestrians, star Gazers, and those seekinG the beauty and solitude that this area has to offer. PaleontoloGists frequent this area, as it is a known source of fossils; significant occurrences of fossils, includinG rhinoceros, camel, canid, felid, bird track, and plant, are located in the Ship Mountains, and other nearby mountains. Rockhounds also collect epidote, Garnet, hematite, jasper, marble, nodules, and trilobites in and around this area. 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 .