| Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness | |
|---|---|
| Location | Mojave Desert,San Bernardino County, California |
| Nearest city | Needles |
| Coordinates | 34°50′08″N114°53′23″W / 34.8355572°N 114.8896934°W /34.8355572; -114.8896934[2] |
| Area | 14,645 acres (59.27 km2) |
| Established | 1994 |
| Governing body | Bureau of Land Management |
TheBigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness is in the easternMojave Desert and withinMojave Trails National Monument, located inSan Bernardino County, California.[3]
The wilderness lies in the northern end of theSacramento Mountains, east of thePiute Mountains and 18 miles (29 km) west ofNeedles, California, alongInterstate 40 as its northern border. The wilderness covers approximately 14,645 acres (5,927 ha). Elevations range from 1,400 to 3,314 feet (427 to 1,010 m) at the top of the Sacramento range's Bannock Peak.[4]
In the wilderness area thevegetation types are predominantly of the creosote bush scrub plant community. The densest concentration ofBigelow cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii) in all California's deserts is found within the wilderness area and the surrounding terrain.
Wildlife is typical for the Mojave Desert; includingcoyote,black-tailed jackrabbit,ground squirrel,kangaroo rat,quail,roadrunner,rattlesnakes, and several species oflizards. The area provides habitat for migratingdesert bighorn sheep. The western half of the wilderness area provides critical habitat for the threateneddesert tortoise.
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