| Cleghorn Lakes Wilderness | |
|---|---|
Aerial image of the area | |
| Location | San Bernardino County, California |
| Nearest city | Twentynine Palms, California |
| Coordinates | 34°15′21″N115°48′39″W / 34.25583°N 115.81083°W /34.25583; -115.81083 |
| Area | 39,167 acres (158.50 km2) |
| Established | 1994 |
| Governing body | Bureau of Land Management |
TheCleghorn Lakes Wilderness is a 39,167-acre (158.50 km2)wilderness area in the southernMojave Desert. It is located 16 miles (26 km) northeast ofTwentynine Palms, California, and 20 miles (32 km) north ofJoshua Tree National Park. It is managed by theBureau of Land Management.[2]
Named for the dry lakes found at the center of the wilderness area, this area has a variety of natural resources. The east portion is mountainous while the west portion is a vastalluvial fan andbajada. Elevations range from 1,400 feet (430 m) at the desert floor to the rugged Bullion Mountains, which rise more than 4,100 feet (1,200 m) across a 4-mile (6.4 km) stretch.[2]
Wildlife includesDesert bighorn sheep on the slopes, anddesert tortoise in the valley floor andbajadahabitats.
Native plants include:Barrel cactus, andSmoke trees (Psorothamnus spinosus)" in some bajadas. The Cleghorn Lakes offer occasional spring wildflower displays. TheCrucifixion Thorn (Castela emoryi) shrub has been found near the eastern edge of the wilderness boundary. It is native to California, Arizona, andSonora state in Mexico. It listed by theCalifornia Native Plant Society as rare in California, but is more common elsewhere in the lowerSonoran Deserts.[3]