This is one of the few natural watering areas for wildlife within the Mojave
Desert. It is tucked into a beautiful, small canyon of yellow and white
limestone. Visitors are asked to minimize their stays near the water and to
use the adjacent viewing areas, which have picnic tables and fire pits.
Dispersed camping accommodations area available downstream for larger groups.

This is one of the few natural watering areas for wildlife within the Mojave Desert.  It is tucked into a beautiful, small canyon of yellow and white limestone.  Visitors are asked to minimize their stays near the water and to use the adjacent viewing areas, which have picnic tables and fire pits.  Dispersed camping accommodations area available downstream for larger groups.

Bird's eye view of the park

Bonanza Springs Watchable Wildlife Area

The Clipper Mountain Wilderness encompasses rugged yellow and dark brown,
horizontally striped mesas; narrow canyons with hidden springs; and sparsely
vegetated alluvial fans. The small cluster of volcanic mountains is oriented
northeast to southwest. In the center, the most prominent ridge, Clipper
Mountain, reaches an elevation of 4,625 feet before it dramatically drops off
in a series of sharp cliffs overlooking the Clipper and Fenner Valleys. Castle
Dome, a local landmark, can be clearly seen from Historic Route 66 to the
south and east. Wildlife includes a herd of 40-50 bighorn sheep, coyote,
black-tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, roadrunners,
chucker, quail, prairie falcons, red-tailed hawks, golden eagles,
rattlesnakes, and several species of lizards. The entire wilderness is located
in Critical Tortoise Habitat. The wilderness is located eastern corner of the
sector and consists of 33,844 acres. Access to the area is limited. It is
bordered by I-40 on the north and a gas pipeline on the south.

The Clipper Mountain Wilderness encompasses rugged yellow and dark brown, horizontally striped mesas; narrow canyons with hidden springs; and sparsely vegetated alluvial fans.  The small cluster of volcanic mountains is oriented northeast to southwest.  In the center, the most prominent ridge, Clipper Mountain, reaches an elevation of 4,625 feet before it dramatically drops off in a series of sharp cliffs overlooking the Clipper and Fenner Valleys.  Castle Dome, a local landmark, can be clearly seen from Historic Route 66 to the south and east. Wildlife includes a herd of 40-50 bighorn sheep, coyote, black-tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, roadrunners, chucker, quail, prairie falcons, red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, rattlesnakes, and several species of lizards.  The entire wilderness is located in Critical Tortoise Habitat.  The wilderness is located eastern corner of the sector and consists of 33,844 acres.  Access to the area is limited.  It is bordered by I-40 on the north and a gas pipeline on the south.

Clipper Mountain Wilderness

Camp Essex/Clipper were established in 1942.? It had two groups assigned to it
including the the 93rd Infantry Division which was an all-black division.
After the 93rd division left the camp in May of 1944, it was occupied by
Italian POWs. Included at the camp was a 500,000-gallon water reservoir, which
is still visible today. You can still see rock-lined walkways, but they are
diminishing. There were also reported ranges around the camp, but no traces
are present.

Camp Essex/Clipper were established in 1942.? It had two groups assigned to it including the the 93rd Infantry Division which was an all-black division.  After the 93rd division left the camp in May of 1944, it was occupied by Italian POWs.  Included at the camp was a 500,000-gallon water reservoir, which is still visible today.  You can still see rock-lined walkways, but they are diminishing.  There were also reported ranges around the camp, but no traces are present.

Camp Clipper Divisional Camp -Patton

This area, on the southern boundary of the Trilobite Wilderness, is a popular
place to explore for hemetite and magnetite, found in reddish-brown iron
deposits near mining shafts, and for green epidote, found in the washes. An
abandoned quarry yields sizable chunks of limestone and marble. In adjacent
canyons tiny garnets, with dark red and brown crystals, can be found. Epidote
is also scattered about and much of it contains bright metallic hematite
blades. Farther east in yet another canyon you will find a gray ridge of
limestone embedded with many interesting fossils.

This area, on the southern boundary of the Trilobite Wilderness, is a popular place to explore for hemetite and magnetite, found in reddish-brown iron deposits near mining shafts, and for green epidote, found in the washes.  An abandoned quarry yields sizable chunks of limestone and marble.  In adjacent canyons tiny garnets, with dark red and brown crystals, can be found.  Epidote is also scattered about and much of it contains bright metallic hematite blades.  Farther east in yet another canyon you will find a gray ridge of limestone embedded with many interesting fossils.

Chambless Rock Collecting Area

Marble Mountain Fossil Bed contains one of the classic Cambrian trilobite
fossil sites within the Western United States. The Marble Mountain Fossil Beds
lie in a beautiful shale formation that is 60-feet thick and over 550 million
years old. Trilobites were small marine crustaceans that resemble modern-day
horseshoe crabs. Trilobite refers to the three long spinal sections of the
skeleton. Trilobites are extinct arthropods that disappeared approximately 250
million years ago. You may collect a reasonable number of invertebrate fossils
and rocks for personal use without a permit and free of charge of BLM lands.
Personal collections cannot be sold or bartered for personal gain, and
commercial collecting is not allowed without a permit. Only hand tools may be
used; explosives and power equipment are not allowed. Collecting may not be
allowed in special management areas, such as wilderness and national historic
sites or on mining claims.

Marble Mountain Fossil Bed contains one of the classic Cambrian trilobite fossil sites within the Western United States. The Marble Mountain Fossil Beds lie in a beautiful shale formation that is 60-feet thick and over 550 million years old. Trilobites were small marine crustaceans that resemble modern-day horseshoe crabs. Trilobite refers to the three long spinal sections of the skeleton. Trilobites are extinct arthropods that disappeared approximately 250 million years ago. You may collect a reasonable number of invertebrate fossils and rocks for personal use without a permit and free of charge of BLM lands. Personal collections cannot be sold or bartered for personal gain, and commercial collecting is not allowed without a permit. Only hand tools may be used; explosives and power equipment are not allowed. Collecting may not be allowed in special management areas, such as wilderness and national historic sites or on mining claims.

Marble Mountain Rock Collecting Area (Trilobite)

The Trilobite Wilderness covers the Marble Mountains, a narrow volcanic range
extending 12 miles in a northwest-southwest direction. Alternating dark brown
and light brown striations have been tilted by geologic processes and give a
marbled appearance to the range. Through the center, several yellowish
sandstone peaks with long talus slopes are prominent. Trending eastward from
the mountain range, the wilderness includes low rolling hills and sloping
bajadas. Wildlife is also typical for the Mojave Desert. The area does have a
very stable permanent population of bighorn sheep last estimated at around
150, and the eastern portion of the wilderness provides critical habitat for
the threatened desert tortoise. The wilderness is located in the central
portion of the sector and consists of 37,308 acres. It is bordered by a gas
pipeline on the north, Kelbaker Road on the west, and a few BLM routes to the
south.

The Trilobite Wilderness covers the Marble Mountains, a narrow volcanic range extending 12 miles in a northwest-southwest direction.  Alternating dark brown and light brown striations have been tilted by geologic processes and give a marbled appearance to the range.  Through the center, several yellowish sandstone peaks with long talus slopes are prominent.  Trending eastward from the mountain range, the wilderness includes low rolling hills and sloping bajadas. Wildlife is also typical for the Mojave Desert.  The area does have a very stable permanent population of bighorn sheep last estimated at around 150, and the eastern portion of the wilderness provides critical habitat for the threatened desert tortoise.  The wilderness is located in the central portion of the sector and consists of 37,308 acres.  It is bordered by a gas pipeline on the north, Kelbaker Road on the west, and a few BLM routes to the south.

Trilobite Wilderness

This wilderness area mainly consists of the Piute Mountains with elevations
ranging from 2,000 to 4,132 feet. Vegetation consists of creosote bush scrub,
which gradually changes into a mixed desert scrub at higher elevations. The
dry washes are characterized by catclaw acacia, smoketree, cheesebush, desert
lavender, little-leaf ratany, and desert almond. Wildlife is also typical for
the Mojave Desert; including coyote, black-tailed jackrabbits, ground
squirrels, kangaroo rats, quail, roadrunners, rattlesnakes, and several
species of lizards. The area provides transient ranges for mule deer and
bighorn sheep. The wilderness is located in the northern part of the sector
and consists of 48,080 acres. OHV intrusions are prevalent along the Piute
Crossing road which dissects the wilderness. The crossing road receives most
of its usage during hunting season when hunters access the Fenner Spring which
is located within the wilderness area.

This wilderness area mainly consists of the Piute Mountains with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,132 feet.  Vegetation consists of creosote bush scrub, which gradually changes into a mixed desert scrub at higher elevations.  The dry washes are characterized by catclaw acacia, smoketree, cheesebush, desert lavender, little-leaf ratany, and desert almond.  Wildlife is also typical for the Mojave Desert; including coyote, black-tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, quail, roadrunners, rattlesnakes, and several species of lizards.  The area provides transient ranges for mule deer and bighorn sheep.  The wilderness is located in the northern part of the sector and consists of 48,080 acres.  OHV intrusions are prevalent along the Piute Crossing road which dissects the wilderness.  The crossing road receives most of its usage during hunting season when hunters access the Fenner Spring which is located within the wilderness area.

Piute Mountains Wilderness

The Old Woman Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 163,616 acres and
is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the
state of California. In 1994 the Old Woman Mountains Wilderness became part of
the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In
wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and
extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age of _"...increasing
population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing
mechanization,..."_ you play an important role in helping to _"...secure for
the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an
enduring resource of wilderness"_ as called for by Congress in the Wilderness
Act of 1964. Please follow the regulations in place for this area, and use
Leave No Trace techniques when visiting to ensure protection of its unique
natural and experiential qualities.

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in
different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of
the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply.

**Leave No Trace principles:**

  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  3. Dispose of Waste Properly
  4. Leave What You Find
  5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
  6. Respect Wildlife
  7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

**Regulations:**  
Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally
prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the
use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, motorized equipment,
bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of
aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific legislation.
In a few areas some exceptions allowing the use of motorized equipment or
mechanical transport are described in the special regulations in effect for a
specific area. Contact the agency for more information about regulations.

The Old Woman Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 163,616 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California. In 1994 the Old Woman Mountains Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age of "...increasing population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization,..." you play an important role in helping to "...secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness" as called for by Congress in the <a href="http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=legisact" rel="nofollow">Wilderness Act of 1964</a>. Please follow the regulations in place for this area, and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting to ensure protection of its unique natural and experiential qualities.How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply.Leave No Trace principles:<ol><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_1.php" rel="nofollow">Plan Ahead and Prepare</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_2.php" rel="nofollow">Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_3.php" rel="nofollow">Dispose of Waste Properly</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_4.php" rel="nofollow">Leave What You Find</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_5.php" rel="nofollow">Minimize Campfire Impacts</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_6.php" rel="nofollow">Respect Wildlife</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_7.php" rel="nofollow">Be Considerate of Other Visitors</a></li></ol>Regulations: Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific legislation. In a few areas some exceptions allowing the use of motorized equipment or mechanical transport are described in the special regulations in effect for a specific area. Contact the agency for more information about regulations.

Bonanza Springs Watchable Wildlife Area

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