The large wash north of U.S. Highway 62 just 2 miles east of Vidal Junction is
an excellent site for collecting chalcedony, which can be found from Highway
95 extending east approximately 1 mile. The best method of working a site is
to park safely off the pavement and walk east through the wash. The bright
white chalcedony is easy to spot against the darker soil.

The large wash north of U.S. Highway 62 just 2 miles east of Vidal Junction is an excellent site for collecting chalcedony, which can be found from Highway 95 extending east approximately 1 mile.  The best method of working a site is to park safely off the pavement and walk east through the wash.  The bright white chalcedony is easy to spot against the darker soil.

Bird's eye view of the park

Savahia Peak Rock Collecting Area

The eastern portion of the Turtle Mountains is dominated by Mopah Peak.
Standing 3,675 feet above sea level, the peak is the remnant of an ancient
vocano, eroded to form a massive, reddish pinnacle. Mopah Peak is considered
one of the most difficult climbs in the desert. The southwest approach is
probably the best for climbing. The view from the peak is said to be among the
most spectacular panoramas in the entire desert. The route to this peak is
regarded as a fun desert climb. The panarama from the summit includes the
Colorado and Stepladder Mountains to the north, the Mopah Spring palm oasis to
teh west, and the 27-ft higher summit of the Umpah Peak to the south. To climb
Umpah, descent to the saddle between the two peaks and then scramble up. Keep
your eye out for chalcedony roses; many are found in this area.

The eastern portion of the Turtle Mountains is dominated by Mopah Peak.  Standing 3,675 feet above sea level, the peak is the remnant of an ancient vocano, eroded to form a massive, reddish pinnacle.  Mopah Peak is considered one of the most difficult climbs in the desert.  The southwest approach is probably the best for climbing.  The view from the peak is said to be among the most spectacular panoramas in the entire desert.  The route to this peak is regarded as a fun desert climb.  The panarama from the summit includes the Colorado and Stepladder Mountains to the north, the Mopah Spring palm oasis to teh west, and the 27-ft higher summit of the Umpah Peak to the south.  To climb Umpah, descent to the saddle between the two peaks and then scramble up.  Keep your eye out for chalcedony roses; many are found in this area.

Mopah Peak Hiking Trail

The large east-west oriented Whipple Mountains comprise the dominant land form
within this wilderness. Whipple Peak is the highest point in the range at an
elevation of 4,131 ft. Landforms are diverse and range from valley floors and
washes to steep-walled canyons, domed peaks, natural bridges, and eroded
spires.

Two major vegetative associations are present within the wilderness area, the
Sonora creosote bush scrub and Sonoran thorn forest. Dominant vegetation is
creosote bush scrub, palo verde, ironwood, smoke tree, and numerous species of
cacti including cholla, saguaro, foxtail, and prickly pear.

Wildlife species include bighorn sheep, mule deer, wild burros, coyote, black-
tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, quail, roadrunners, owls,
the threatened desert tortoise, and several species of rattlesnakes and
lizards. The Whipple Mountains provide superior nesting and foraging habitat
for a number of raptors; including prairie falcons, golden eagles, red-tailed
hawks, and Cooper's hawks. The wilderness is located in the south eastern
corner of the sector and consists of 77,520 acres. It is cooperatively managed
with the Havasu Field Office.

The large east-west oriented Whipple Mountains comprise the dominant land form within this wilderness.  Whipple Peak is the highest point in the range at an elevation of 4,131 ft.  Landforms are diverse and range from valley floors and washes to steep-walled canyons, domed peaks, natural bridges, and eroded spires.  
<p> 
Two major vegetative associations are present within the wilderness area, the Sonora creosote bush scrub and Sonoran thorn forest.  Dominant vegetation is creosote bush scrub, palo verde, ironwood, smoke tree, and numerous species of cacti including cholla, saguaro, foxtail, and prickly pear.   
<p> 
Wildlife species include bighorn sheep, mule deer, wild burros, coyote, black-tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, quail, roadrunners, owls, the threatened desert tortoise, and several species of rattlesnakes and lizards.  The Whipple Mountains provide superior nesting and foraging habitat for a number of raptors; including prairie falcons, golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and Cooper's hawks.  The wilderness is located in the south eastern corner of the sector and consists of 77,520 acres.  It is cooperatively managed with the Havasu Field Office.

Whipple Mountains Wilderness

Archeological resources such as petroglyphs and rock rings are located in this
area. These resources are considered sacred by the Native American Tribes
along the Colorado River. A wildlife watering guzzler is also located at the
site and is kept active by a water pump leading from the well. This site is
located on the west end of the Chemehuevi Wash and receives visitation by OHV
riders.

Archeological resources such as petroglyphs and rock rings are located in this area.  These resources are considered sacred by the Native American Tribes along the Colorado River.  A wildlife watering guzzler is also located at the site and is kept active by a water pump leading from the well.  This site is located on the west end of the Chemehuevi Wash and receives visitation by OHV riders.

West Well

Castle Rock's is accessible from California Highway 62, near the railroad
crossing west of Vital Junction. The trail and Castle Rock itself are both
located within the Turtle Mountain Wilderness area. The hike is not very
strenuous, and is approximately 8 miles round trip.

Castle Rock's is accessible from California Highway 62, near the railroad crossing west of Vital Junction.  The trail and Castle Rock itself are both located within the Turtle Mountain Wilderness area.  The hike is not very strenuous, and is approximately 8 miles round trip.

Castle Rock Hiking Trail

The Turtle Mountains Wilderness area ranges from broad bajadas to highly
eroded volcanic peaks, spires, and cliffs. The Mopah Range contains the two
signature Mopah Peaks, which are rhyodactic or volcanic plugs. The northern
most peak is a landmark known as Mexican Hat. The area has numerous springs
and seeps. Much of the Turtle Mountain range has been designated as a National
Natural Landmark in recognition of its exceptional natural values.

Dominate vegetation consists of the creosote bush-bur sage and the palo verde-
cactus shrub ecosystems. In the washes, Colorado/Sonoran microphylla woodlands
can be found. These woodlands include such things as palo verde, smoke tree,
honey mesquite, and catclaw. Wildlife species include bighorn sheep, coyote,
black-tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, quail, roadrunners,
golden eagles, prairie falcons, rattlesnakes, and several species of lizards.
The desert tortoise is found within the wilderness area, and northwestern and
northeastern portions of the wilderness area are considered critical habitat.
The wilderness is located in the southern portion of the sector and consists
of 177,209 acres. OHV activity is common along the boundaries of wilderness.

The Turtle Mountains Wilderness area ranges from broad bajadas to highly eroded volcanic peaks, spires, and cliffs.  The Mopah Range contains the two signature Mopah Peaks, which are rhyodactic or volcanic plugs.  The northern most peak is a landmark known as Mexican Hat.  The area has numerous springs and seeps.  Much of the Turtle Mountain range has been designated as a National Natural Landmark in recognition of its exceptional natural values.  <p><p> 
 
Dominate vegetation consists of the creosote bush-bur sage and the palo verde-cactus shrub ecosystems.  In the washes, Colorado/Sonoran microphylla woodlands can be found. These woodlands include such things as palo verde, smoke tree, honey mesquite, and catclaw.  Wildlife species include bighorn sheep, coyote, black-tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, quail, roadrunners, golden eagles, prairie falcons, rattlesnakes, and several species of lizards.  The desert tortoise is found within the wilderness area, and northwestern and northeastern portions of the wilderness area are considered critical habitat.  The wilderness is located in the southern portion of the sector and consists of 177,209 acres.  OHV activity is common along the boundaries of wilderness.

Turtle Mountains Wilderness

Within the Turtle Mountains Wilderness is located the Turtle Mountain National
Natural Landmark an area of land recognized for its exceptional geological
value and an area held in high spiritual value by the Native American Tribes
of the Southwest. Mexican Hat Trail is a small portion of a greater trail
which once linked centuries of travelers to the Colorado River. If the hike to
the top of the trail doesn't appeal to you, an ADA compliant ramada and picnic
table are available for day use and camping at the Lisa Dawn or Brown's Cabin
developed campsites. Photographers love this area. In the spring cacti floral
displays are bountiful within the surrounding area. History buffs practice
black and white imagining, and if patience, wildlife will present the public
with many photo opportunities

Within the Turtle Mountains Wilderness is located the Turtle Mountain National Natural Landmark an area of land recognized for its exceptional geological value and an area held in high spiritual value by the Native American Tribes of the Southwest. Mexican Hat Trail is a small portion of a greater trail which once linked centuries of travelers to the Colorado River. If the hike to the top of the trail doesn't appeal to you, an ADA compliant ramada and picnic table are available for day use and camping at the Lisa Dawn or Brown's Cabin developed campsites.  Photographers love this area. In the spring cacti floral displays are bountiful within the surrounding area. History buffs practice black and white imagining, and if patience, wildlife will present the public with many photo opportunities

Lost Arch Historic Mining Camp

Cupcake Mountain provides a towering presence from its vantage point southwest
of Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The mountain was named by the Army Corps of
Engineers in the early 1940's while they were building an airport and runway
in the desert prior to the town being incorporated. The trailhead is located
just off of a powerline access road along the border of the Whipple Mountains
Wilderness area. The mountain itself is within the wilderness area. The hike
is rather strenuous and is close to 5 miles long round trip.

Cupcake Mountain provides a towering presence from its vantage point southwest of Lake Havasu City, Arizona.  The mountain was named by the Army Corps of Engineers in the early 1940's while they were building an airport and runway in the desert prior to the town being incorporated.  The trailhead is located just off of a powerline access road along the border of the Whipple Mountains Wilderness area.  The mountain itself is within the wilderness area.  The hike is rather strenuous and is close to 5 miles long round trip.

Cupcake Mountain Hiking Trail

Each fall, winter, and spring seasonal visitors come to the Blue Cloud Camping
Area located off of California State Highway 62 near Big River, California.
Blue Cloud Camping Area is a primitive camping area and serves as an overflow
area to the heavily used Colorado River Resorts. Camping at the site is
restricted to 14 days within a 28 day period, however visitors keep coming
back and are attracted to the area because of its close (but not too close)
proximity to the town of Parker, AZ as well as its breathtaking views of the
Whipple Mountains Wilderness area.

Each fall, winter, and spring seasonal visitors come to the Blue Cloud Camping Area located off of California State Highway 62 near Big River, California.  Blue Cloud Camping Area is a primitive camping area and serves as an overflow area to the heavily used Colorado River Resorts.    Camping at the site is restricted to 14 days within a 28 day period, however visitors keep coming back and are attracted to the area because of its close (but not too close) proximity to the town of Parker, AZ as well as its breathtaking views of the Whipple Mountains Wilderness area.

Blue Cloud Camping Area

Bird's eye view of the campground

Cabin Loop

Cabin Loop Campsites

Main Campground

Lake Havasu

Snaggletooth Primitive Camp sits on the southwest corner of the Chemehuevi
Mountains and serves as the staging area for backpackers. Due to its location
just off of U.S. Highway 95, and in close proximity to the town of Needles, it
is a popular spot for seasonal visitors looking for a place to stop for the
night. However, due to the surrounding scenic qualities and the openness of
the area, many visitors who may have only intended to stop for just one night
find themselves staying for a week.

Snaggletooth Primitive Camp sits on the southwest corner of the Chemehuevi Mountains and serves as the staging area for backpackers.  Due to its location just off of U.S. Highway 95, and  in close proximity to the town of Needles, it is a popular spot for seasonal visitors looking for a place to stop for the night.  However, due to the surrounding scenic qualities and the openness of the area, many visitors who may have only intended to stop for just one night find themselves staying for a week.