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Introduction

The United States Congress designated the Boundary Peak Wilderness (map) in 1989 and it now has a total of 10,000 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Nevada and is managed by the Forest Service.

Description

Of the 11.86 million acres of the heavily visited Inyo National Forest split between Nevada and California, only 60,654 lie in Nevada. In that portion, you will find this one lonely Wilderness, the state's smallest. But this Wilderness makes up in height what it lacks in size, with Boundary Peak, at 13,140 feet, rating as the highest point in Nevada. The peak overlooks, as might be expected, the California border, and rises above the White Mountains, a high and dry range from which colorful canyons descend eastward into desertland. Hiking up these precipitous canyons will often lead you to an abrupt end, where waterfalls (now dry) once carved the rock. Rising dramatically from the floor of Nevada, the mountains are primarily of granite, with an overlay of old sedimentary rock and exposed fossils dating back 600 million years. Boundary Peak and nearby Montgomery Peak pair up in an impressive massif with a grand view.

Planning to Visit the Boundary Peak Wilderness?

• Print a fact sheet
• General things to consider when visiting any wilderness
• Regulations
• Contact the Forest Service
• Visit the National Forest wilderness website

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 Boundary Peak 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.