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Introduction

The United States Congress designated the La Madre Mountain Wilderness (map) in 2002 and it now has a total of 47,267 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Nevada and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service. The La Madre Mountain Wilderness is bordered by the Mt. Charleston Wilderness to the north and the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness to the south.

Description

Dominating the dramatic backdrop of the Scenic Loop at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area are the steep canyons and spectacular cliffs of La Madre Mountain Wilderness. This large wilderness is an eye-catching complex of canyons, rugged gray carbonate ridges, and mountain peaks. This wilderness sits between the Mt. Charleston Wilderness to the northwest and the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness to the south. This area provides classic examples of basin and range formations, and is also home to the Keystone Thrust – a geological formation internationally recognized as the finest example of a thrust fault. This area is co-managed by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service.

GEOLOGY

The bright reds and whites of the sandstone formations in the southeastern part of this wilderness contrast sharply with the rough gray limestone cliffs of La Madre Mountain. The La Madre Range was formed by the Keystone Thrust Fault, where the land was compressed along a fault line. This compression caused buckling that resulted in older limestone rock being pushed up and over younger sandstone.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Elevations in this area range from 3,600 feet in the northeast corner to 9,425 feet on the crest of the Spring Mountains. This almost 6,000 foot change in elevation provides for a variety of plant communities: Mojave Desert scrub, to Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, and the subalpine communities of white fir and ponderosa pine. You may also see desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, mountain lions, foxes, and a variety of birds, rodents, and lizards.

Planning to Visit the La Madre Mountain Wilderness?

• Print a fact sheet
• General things to consider when visiting any wilderness
• Regulations
• Contact the Bureau of Land Management or the Forest Service
• Other recommended websites

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 La Madre Mountain 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.