Introduction
The United States Congress designated the Whipple Mountains Wilderness (
map) in 1994 and it now has a total of
76,122 acres.
All of this wilderness is located in
California and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Description
The large east-west oriented Whipple Mountains comprise the dominant land form within this wilderness. A low angle fault separates the pale green formations of the western side from the striking brick-red, steeply carved volcanics of the eastern side. 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.
