National Park Service Park News & Guide U.S. Department of the Interior Mojave National Issue 23 / Spring 2013 Preserve NPS COLLECTION Welcome to Mojave! Where is the Wildlife? With mild temperatures and longer days, spring is By Neal Darby, Wildlife Biologist an inviting time to visit the Mojave. Winter rains pay off People are often surprised to hear that in spring, when wildflower wildlife is abundant in Mojave National blooms delight desert travelers. Preserve. We often hear: “But we never The Joshua trees are already see anything,” or “The desert is a wasteland,” or “They must only be out blooming, and flowers may at night.” continue blooming at higher elevations into early June. In fact, Mojave National Preserve has Information about where to one of the most diverse collections of find flowers is included in this wildlife in the southwest. It is the home guide. Interested in animals? of some 38 species of amphibians and Read about how to find and reptiles, 50 species of mammals, and observe wildlife in the desert. more than 300 kinds of birds. We even have a native fish—yes, a fish!—a chub Check our safety tips to that has been found in two ponds in the make sure you are prepared. preserve. Gateway communities like The diversity of wildlife is due to the Nipton , Baker, Fenner, and variation of elevations, precipitation Campers at Mid Hills often see deer near the campground. Ludlow, offer additional patterns, and vegetation communities services for park visitors. Stock that provide habitat–food, cover, and animal behaviors that could increase handle them. up on drinks and snacks and water—for the animals. Elevations your chances of finding and viewing • Stay within posted speed limits, fill your gasoline tank before range from about 920 feet at the wildlife for which Mojave is best and watch out for wildlife. entering the preserve. lowest point at Soda Lake near Baker, known. • Park your vehicle safely off the California, to about 8,000 feet at Clark road before viewing wildlife. For every visitor, I recommend Mountain, the only part of the preserve Because wildlife can be unpredictable • Respect the rights of private a stop at the Kelso Depot that lies north of I-15. Precipitation and dangerous, please take note of the landowners. Visitor Center. This mission- levels and vegetation vary with the following guidelines: elevation: creosote and cactus cover revival style former train station All right, if you agree with these now serves as the preserve’s the lower desert floor while pinyon and conditions, let’s go watch wildlife! juniper trees are found in the rises and • Never attempt to feed wildlife. principal information center. • Do not approach wildlife too mountainous areas. Bighorn sheep are diurnal, meaning Explore exhibits, view an closely. Maintain a distance of 50 orientation film, shop for maps, to 100 yards. that they are active during the day; It is the desert’s harsh environment, this makes them easier to observe. postcards, and books, and have including extreme heat, drought, and • Avoid surprising wildlife. lunch at The Beanery, Kelso’s • Do not surround or corner Bighorn like steep, rocky terrain with intense sun, that explains why Mojave low vegetation for good visibility, so old-fashioned lunch counter. wildlife are not easily seen. To cope with animals. • Do not touch, poke, harass, or look for them on or near mountain Rangers on duty offer trip- these conditions, animals have evolved slopes. During the hot summer months, planning advice. Call ahead not only physiological adaptations, but harm animals. • Stay clear of nests, dens, and bighorn need freestanding water more to check on hours. Declining also behavioral patterns. Armed with frequently than in cooler months, so an understanding of some of these young animals. Do not worry, federal budgets may result in mom is nearby. look for them near water sources like reduced operations at Kelso. behaviors, visitors will have a better the seep along Zzyzx Road. chance of finding and viewing wildlife. • If you believe that a baby animal Phone numbers are listed on Below are some descriptions of unique has been abandoned or that an the back page of this guide. adult animal has been injured, call Mule deer are more active during the for a ranger’s assistance. Do not continued on page 4 Many adventures await you at Mojave National Preserve. Welcome, and enjoy your visit! Stephanie Dubois Superintendent Essential Information . 2 Exploring Mojave . 3 A golden eagle is captured by a motion-sensing camera, rinsing out his mouth. Camping . 6 Hiking . 7 Mojave National Preserve Map . 8 Printed on 20% post-consumer recycled paper with soy-based inks National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Summer Safety Tips The main cause of death in Mojave: More people die in single-car accidents due to speeding than Mojave National Preserve by any other means. Reduce your speed. Established in 1994, Mojave National Do not depend on a GPS navigation system: GPS maps of remote areas, including Mojave, are Preserve encompasses 1.6 million notoriously unreliable. Carry a folding map. acres ranging in elevation from 800’ near Baker to 7,929’ at Clark Carry and drink plenty of water: Carry a minimum of a Mountain. Although most of the gallon per person per day in your vehicle even if you are just park lies in the Mojave Desert, the passing through. You will need it in an emergency. Carry more if you plan to be active. Fluid and electrolyte levels must be southeast section grades into the balanced, so have salty foods or “sports drinks” handy as well. Sonoran Desert, and elements of Hikers, carry plenty of water. the Great Basin Desert are found at Flash Floods: While driving, be alert for water running higher elevations east of the Granite, in washes and across dips in the road. When hiking Providence, and New York mountains. and camping, avoid canyons and washes during rain storms, and be prepared to move to higher ground. Newspaper Editor Backcountry Travel: Hikers, backpackers, and those traveling Norma Sosa on dirt roads need to be self-reliant and well-prepared. Plan ahead, carry detailed maps, and let someone know your plans. Mailing Address Avoid hiking in the heat: Do not hike in the low elevations when 2701 Barstow Road temperatures are high. The mountains are cooler in summer. Barstow, CA 92311 Watch for signs of trouble: If you feel dizzy or nauseated, Web and E-mail or if you develop a headache, get out of the sun immediately, www.nps.gov/moja Carefully assess conditions before driving and drink water or sports drinks. Dampen clothing to lower body temperature. Be alert for symptoms in others. For e-mail, click “Contact Us” across a flooded roadway. Dangerous Animals: Never place your hands or feet Park Headquarters where you cannot see first. Rattlesnakes, scorpions, or ph: 760-252-6100 black widow spiders might be sheltered there. fax: 760-252-6174 Mine Hazards: Never enter a mine. They are unmaintained and unstable, and you might encounter pockets of bad The National Park Service cares air or poisonous gas. Stay out, and stay alive! for the special places saved by the American people so that all may In Case of Emergency: Cell phones do not work in many experience our heritage. areas. Try moving uphill to get a signal. To call for help, dial 911 or the Federal Interagency Communications Center at 909- 383-5651. After calling, stay with your car until help comes. Stay on trails to avoid unexpected encounters with rattlesnakes. Essential Information Dates and Hours of Operation Pets The preserve is always open. Information centers (see below) maintain regular hours of operation. Though not allowed inside information centers, pets are welcome elsewhere. They must be leashed and never left unattended. Dogs used during hunting activities must be under the owner’s control Fees and Reservations at all times. Pet excrement must be collected and disposed of in garbage receptacles. There are no entrance fees. See page 6 for information about campground reservations and fees. Permits Information Centers Permits are required for all organized events, group events (more than 15 individuals or 7 vehicles), Three information centers provide orientation, information, and trip-planning advice. Park rangers and commercial activities such as filming. Fees apply. Proof of insurance and posting of a bond are on duty. Western National Parks Association (WNPA) bookstores offer books, maps, and more. might also be required. Call 760-252-6107 or visit www.nps.gov/moja for more information. Kelso Depot Visitor Center Located 34 miles south of Baker, Calif. on Kelbaker Road. Open Friday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. Hunting and Firearms to 5:00 p.m. Operational change due to sequestration: closed Thursday and Friday. Please Hunting is permitted in accordance with state regulations. All hunting activities require a license; call (760) 252-6108 or visit www.nps.gov/moja for more information. additional permits and tags might apply. Visit the California Department of Fish & Game website at Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center http://www.dfg.ca.gov/ for more information. Located near Hole-in-the-Wall Campground. Winter hours (October–April): Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m.– 4 p.m. Summer hours (May - September) Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Target shooting or “plinking” is prohibited. All firearms transported within the preserve must be un- Headquarters Information Center loaded, cased, and broken down, except during lawful hunting activities. No shooting is permitted Located at 2701 Barstow Road, Barstow, Calif. Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. within 1/2 mile of developed areas, including campgrounds, information centers, Kelso Dunes, Fort Piute, Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center, and the Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx.