Kingston Range, Proposed Wilderness Additions

Kingston Range; © John Dittli

Size: Approximately 56,513 acres

Management Agency: Bureau of Land Management, Barstow Field Office

Location: Southeast of Death Valley National Park and north of Baker. East of the CA-127.

Maps: BLM Desert Access Guide Soda Mountains and Owlshead Mountains

Landscape and History

The 7,323‐foot Kingston Range rises high above three low desert valleys: Mesquite, Shadow, and Silurian. The proposed wilderness additions would extend protection to the lower slopes of the Kingston Range and Kingston Wash. This area is of interest to geologists because of its complex movements and rock exposures. Some of the oldest rocks in California are exposed here, with granite dating back more than a billion years, and limestone and dolomite along the rangeʹs edges. A wide variety of minerals including gold, silver, copper, uranium, zeolite, bentonite, gypsum, talc, and lead provide unusual microhabitats for plants and animals.

Wildlife and Plants

The Kingston Range contains one of the highest concentrations of endangered species and unusual plant assemblages in the California desert, due to its extremely varied terrain and unusual mineral formations. A relict stand of white fir trees are found on the north slope, and other rare plants thrive here. Visitors may encounter animals as diverse as prairie falcons, bighorn sheep, Panamint chipmunks, yellow‐billed cuckoos, desert tortoises, pupfish, raptors, vermilion flycatchers, and the banded Gila monster. Joshua trees and barrel cacti are abundant, and the giant nolina, which can grow to 15 feet high and 10 feet in girth, is also found here.

Activity Highlight

Just 50 miles from Las Vegas and 50 miles from Barstow, the Kingston Range proposed wilderness additions offer wonderful opportunities for solitude and backcountry recreation. The highpoint of the range offers excellent views of the surrounding valleys, and the washes below are favorite gemstone hunting areas.

For More Information

Monica Argandoña, Desert Program Director, California Wilderness Coalition
margandona@calwild.org | (951) 205 6004