Located
in the heart of the Mojave Desert, this new park was established
in 1994 through the California Desert Protection Act.
The Preserve encompasses 1.6 million acres of mountains,
jumble rocks, desert washes, and dry lakes; outdoor enthusiasts
appreciate the opportunity for solitude here not easily
found at other southern California parks. Located in southern
California, the desert area is a land of mountain ranges,
sand dunes, great mesas, and extinct volcanoes.
Mojave
National Preserve's vast expanse of desert lands include
elements of three of the four major North American Deserts:
the Mojave, Great Basin, and Sonoran. Additionally, changes
in elevation and soil type, combined with dozens of seeps
and springs, many in sheltered canyons, create a wide
range of microhabitats that support a rich diversity of
plants and animals. Some species are only found in this
area. Notable plant assemblages include one of the largest
and most dense Joshua tree forests, cactus gardens, and
relect plant communities of white fir and chaparral.
The
Preserve's unique ecology is attributed to its remarkable
geology. The desert is a land of old mountain ranges,
sand dunes, great mesas and volcanic features such as
cinder cones, domes, and lava flows; these features contribute
to the remarkable beauty of the landscape. The most ancient
rocks in the preserve, found in the Clark Mountains, are
2.5 billion years old.
Of
the Preserve's 1.6 million acres, about 700,000 acres
are designated wilderness. In addition, about half is
designated as critical habitat for the federally listed
threatened desert tortoise.
Evidence
of the early human uses include archeological sites, possibly
dating back to 12,000 years. Historic features, such as
mail and trade/travel routes, ranching, farming, and mining,
are abundant and often well preserved. The old Union Pacific
train depot at Kelso serves as a wonderful reminder the
railroading hey-days of the 1920's. The collection of
buildings at Soda Springs, called Zzyzx, built by Curtis
H. Springer also has a remarkably interesting tale to
tell of this most unusual man. These two features and
many more, such as Fort Piute, Government Holes, and Ivanpah
town sites add to the very rich history of the Preserve.
