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High Rock Lake Wilderness

General Location Contacts Area Management Wilderness Laws Trip Planning
Photograph taken in the High Rock Lake Wilderness
Credit:
Friends of Nevada Wilderness

Introduction

The United States Congress designated the High Rock Lake Wilderness (map) in 2000 and it now has a total of 59,107 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Nevada and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The High Rock Lake Wilderness is bordered by the Little High Rock Canyon Wilderness to the north and the Calico Mountains Wilderness to the south.

Description

The High Rock Lake Wilderness includes the northern portion of the Calico Mountains a typical north -south trending Great Basin mountain range. Elevations in the wilderness range from 4,000 to 7,000 feet. Sagebrush is the dominant vegetation type, with saltbush and greasewood occurring at the lower elevations. Several canyons also contain willows, cottonwoods, aspens and other riparian species. The Wilderness was named for the usually dry High Rock Lake in the northwestern part of the Wilderness. The lake occasionally fills with waters flowing from High Rock and Little High Canyons. The lake was formed when a massive rockslide occurred thousands of years ago blocking the mouth of Box Canyon and diverting flows through Fly Canyon further to the north. A portion of the Applegate-Lassen Emigrant Trail crosses through the northern portion of the Wilderness. Wildlife that inhabits the area includes mule deer, California bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, mountain lion, kit fox, coyote, and sage grouse.

Planning to Visit the High Rock Lake Wilderness?

Leave No Trace

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 in the High Rock Lake Wilderness.
  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
For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.