Imperial Sand Dunes

Imperial Sand Dunes RA https://www.blm.gov/visit/imperial-sand-dunes Located in the southeast corner of California, the Imperial Sand Dunes are the largest mass of sand dunes in the state. Formed by windblown sands of ancient Lake Cahuilla, the dune system extends for more than 40 miles in a band averaging 5 miles wide. Dunes often reach heights of 300 feet above the desert floor, providing outstanding opportunities for recreation. A favorite place for off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts, the dunes also offer fabulous scenery, opportunities for solitude, and a home to rare plants and animals.

Bureau of Land Management WELCOME Imperial County lies within the 7-million-acre Colorado Desert in southern California. This unique desert landscape is characterized by broad valleys and low, rugged mountain ranges carved by washes from the draining of seasonal rains. Though elevations range from 275 feet below sea level to nearly 10,000 feet in the mountains, most areas are below 1,000 feet. Summer daytime temperatures in the Colorado Desert can reach more than 110 degrees, and the average annual rainfall is only 2.92 inches. This region contains habitat for wildlife, supports commercial operations such as mining, renewable energy, and utility transmission, and provides a variety of recreational opportunities. The public lands in eastern Imperial County are managed according to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) Northern and Eastern Colorado Desert Coordinated Management Plan (referred to as NECO), which updates the California Desert Conservation Area Plan of 1980. A primary emphasis of NECO is the designation of routes of travel for motorized vehicles that protect the resources while still providing visitors access to the history, wilderness, recreation (including off-highway vehicle use), and wildlife throughout the area. RECREATION Dispersed Sites: Camping opportunities can be found throughout the public lands administered by the BLM. Primitive campsites offer one of the best ways to experience the deserts of California. These sites are widely dispersed, undeveloped, and generally do not have signs marking them as campsites. They are usually clear of vegetation and have a hard, compacted surface. The BLM generally allows dispersed camping on all BLM lands with the following conditions and exceptions: 2. HISTORY The Colorado Desert contains thousands of historic and prehistoric archaeological sites and artifacts (objects made or used by humans) that provide a rich legacy of more than 10,000 years of human history in North America. Unfortunately, many sites have been damaged by unauthorized artifact collection and vandalism, which is illegal and subject to severe civil and criminal penalties. Some sites do allow activities such as rockhounding and metal detecting, with certain limitations. Where these activities are not allowed, please enjoy these fragile, nonrenewable resources by viewing, sketching, or photographing them, leaving the surface of the site undisturbed and the artifacts untouched. Tumco Historic Mining Town Tumco is an abandoned gold mining town located in the Cargo Muchacho Mountains east of the Imperial Sand Dunes along Ogilby Road. Originally named Gold Rock Camp, and then Hedges, Tumco is also one of the earliest gold mining areas in California. Its history spans roughly 300 years, with several periods of boom and bust. Gold was first discovered by Spanish colonists as they moved northward from Sonora, Mexico. According to legend, two young boys came into their camp one evening with their shirts filled with gold ore. These muchachos cargados (loaded boys) were the namesake for the Cargo Muchacho Mountains, where the Tumco deposits occur. Following the first discovery of gold, Mexican settlers operated numerous small mines for many years. In 1877, the Southern Pacific Railroad completed the Yuma to Los Angeles line of its transcontinental route. The railroad allowed access to the gold in the Cargo Muchachos, leading to a gold rush into the area and the establishment of the town of Hedges. This initial rush to stake individual mining claims soon gave way to mining companies that moved into the area, purchased claims, and developed the mines on a large scale. A 12-mile wood pipeline pumped more than 100,000 gallons of water per day from the Colorado River to the mines and the railroad carried mine timbers from northern Arizona for use in the expansive underground workings. The Golden Cross Mining and Milling Company was formed in 1893, but high costs and operational problems put the company into receivership in 1895. In 1897, the area was taken over by the Free Gold Mining and Milling Company. By 1907, this company had abandoned the area and Hedges had become a ghost town. The United Mines Company took over the area in 1910, naming the town from the letters in the company name (TUMCo). During the boom of the 1890s, the town supported about 400 people, making it the largest town in what is now Imperial County. The 140 mill stamps operating during its heyday produced $1,000 per day in gold. Ultimately, over 200,000 ounces of gold was taken from the mines in the area. Historical accounts describe Tumco as a typical raucous mining town with rich eastern investors, unscrupulous charlatans, and colorful characters—that ultimately fell into financial ruin. Although the Tumco townsite has long been abandoned, gold mining has been conducted more recently near the western end of this valley. In early 1995, the American Girl Mining Joint Venture began operations near the site of some of

A GUIDE TO: CALIFORNIA OFF-HIGHWAY ADVENTURES OFF-HIGHWAY MOTOR VEHICLE RECREATION DIVISION CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS WELCOME! alifornia State Parks welcomes you to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Program. Did you know that California State Parks manages the largest off-highway recreation program in the United States? Established over 40 years ago, the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division, in partnership with local, state, and federal agencies, offers a wide variety of off-highway adventures to suit every skill level and age while protecting California's natural and cultural resources. C Off-highway motor vehicle recreation is a great way to spend quality time with friends and family and encourages healthy physical activity. Motorized recreation opens the door for millions of people to access and enjoy California's great outdoors. To help you better identify and enjoy off-highway vehicle recreation opportunities, this Guide to California Off-Highway Adventures provides a listing of trails and areas designated for motorized recreation. People enjoy off-highway recreation in California, and appreciate the need to protect our environment and preserve access to the outdoors. Those traveling off-highway include a broad range of recreationists as diverse as the terrain of California. Regardless of whether you enjoy traveling with two wheels, four wheels, hooves or your feet, we all share a common desire: the appreciation of California's extraordinary natural landscape and love of the outdoors. Respecting one another's right to recreate in their own personal and responsible way and following basic trail etiquette will go far in reducing use conflicts and enhancing your off-highway experience, wherever, and whatever it might be. So jump in and join us for a world of adventure that lies just down the road. Of all the roads you take in life, make sure some of them are dirt! Fun and excitement provided at no extra charge. MISSION STATEMENT The Mission of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division is to provide leadership statewide in the area of off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation; to acquire, develop, and operate state-owned vehicular recreation areas; and to otherwise provide for a statewide system of managed OHV recreational opportunities through funding to other public agencies. The OHMVR Division works to ensure quality recreational opportunities remain available for future generations by providing for education, conservation, and enforcement efforts that balance OHV recreation impacts with programs that conserve and protect cultural and natural resources. California State Parks, OHMVR Division 1725 23rd Street, Suite 200 Sacramento, CA 95816-7100 916.324.4442 ohv.parks.ca.gov ohvinfo.ohv@parks.ca.gov FUNDING A STATEWIDE OHV PROGRAM he OHV Trust Fund is comprised entirely of funds generated in the course of OHV recreation, including: T • Gas taxes on gasoline used for OHV recreation on public lands. • OHV Green/Red Sticker registration fees and non-resident permit fees. • Entrance fees to the State Vehicular Recreation Areas (SVRAs). GET INVOLVED; BECOME A VOLUNTEER! f you are passionate about OHV recreation, and want to ensure your opportunities remain open for years to come, become a volunteer today! I tread lightly! The OHMVR Division is committed to the principles of Tread Lightly! Being environmentally responsible isn't difficult, but it does involve some basic principles. These principles are outlined in the Tread Lightly! Pledge. Travel responsibly Respect the rights of others Educate yourself Avoid sensitive areas he Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division of California State Parks operates and funds 8 SVRAs throughout the state and provides funding for local, state and federal agencies and partners for a system of managed OHV programs. T The funds distributed through the Grants Program are used to develop, operate and maintain OHV areas and facilities, including trail improvement and upkeep, care and cleaning of OHV staging areas, environmental monitoring, law enforcement, and education and safety programs. Combined efforts at all levels of government, joined with contributions from thousands of volunteers who care CHILDREN IN THE OUTDOORS he mission of the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights is to encourage California's children to participate in outdoor activities and discover their heritage. T As a volunteer, you can help sustain a community of informed, caring, and responsible recreationists. Your contribution will ensure off-highway vehicle recreation opportunities remain available today and for future generations. Volunteer opportunities are diverse and include: • Trail Patrol/Monitoring/Maintenance. • Public Outreach (OHV fairs, community and school functions, etc.). OHV recreation areas fit perfectly with this mission. In some areas, naturalists and recreation staff lead programs such as bird watching, bike rides, and nature hikes speci

Bag limits, seasons of use, and size restriction of fish can be found on the same web site. Fisherman and Fire Wildfire can be both beneficial and devastating. It can wipe out homes and businesses as well as rejuvenate forested lands and riparian areas. It is always best to leave fire to the professionals and always make sure your campfires and burning items are completely out before you leave. Please remember to be very careful with fire. fishing accidents. Always be sure of your footing when walking or wading (and it is generally better for you and the aquatic species to stay out of the streams and rivers while fishing). Large and small wildlife (snakes and mosquitos) can Nutria be an annoyance when fishing. Be aware of your surroundings and watch where you step. Wear mosquito and bug repellant with deet to keep them from eating you alive. As always, be careful when driving to and from your secret fishing hole. When boating, always have a Quagga Mussels life vest handy (and kids under 15 must always wear a vest while in a boat per California State Law). Mother Lode Field Office (916) 941-3101 5152 Hillsdale Circle El Dorado Hills, CA 95762-5713 (El Dorado Co.) freshwater/license-information. fishermen and women are injured or lose their lives in Applegate Field Office (530) 233-4666 708 W. 12th Street Alturas, CA 96101-3130 (Modoc Co.) at http://www.eregulations.com/california/fishing/ opportunity, it can be dangerous as well. Every year, Surprise Field Station (530) 279-6101 602 Cressler St. phy./ P.O. Box 460 mlg. Cedarville, CA 96104-0460 (Modoc Co.) California. A listing of those requirements may be found Eurasian Milfoil Palm Springs Field Office (760) 833-7100 1201 Bird Center Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262-8001 (Riverside Co.) Freshwater Fishing license issued by the State of Hyacinth Needles Field Office (760) 326-7000 1303 So. Hwy. 95 Needles, CA 92363-4217 (San Bernardino Co.) Even though fishing is a tremendous recreational license, you are required to possess a California Arcata Field Office (707) 825-2300 1695 Heindon Road Arcata, CA 95521-4573 (Humboldt Co.) While you are not required to have a “BLM” fishing Aquatic Invasive Species include Bakersfield Field Office (661) 391-6000 3801 Pegasus Drive Bakersfield, CA 933086837 (Kern Co.) Safety Barstow Field Office (760) 252-6000 2601 Barstow Road Barstow, CA 92311-6653 (San Bernardino Co.) License Requirement water to another. Redding Field Office (530) 224-2100 6640 Lockheed Drive Redding, CA 96002 (Shasta Co.) Never release plants, animals, or fish into water bodies. Never move fish or plants or bait from one Bishop Field Office (760) 872-5000 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100 Bishop, CA 93514-3101 (Inyo Co.) Dry – Completely dry equipment and gear between visits to fresh water systems. Ridgecrest Field Office (760) 384-5400 300 So. Richmond Road Ridgecrest, CA 93555-4436 (Kern Co.) Drain – Empty coolers, bilge pumps, and buckets of all water before leaving a water body. Central Coast Office (831) 582-2200 940 2nd Avenue Marina, CA 93933-6009 (San Benito Co.) Clean – Rinse and remove all mud and plant materials from boats, fishing equipment, and clothing. Ukiah Field Office (707) 468-4000 2550 N. State Street Ukiah, CA 95482-5194 (Mendocino Co.) serious and irreversible harm to aquatic habitats in California if allowed to spread unchecked. Eagle Lake Field Office (530) 257-0456 2550 Riverside Drive Susanville, CA 96130-4710 (Lassen Co.) Take measures to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive plants and animals. They can cause El Centro Field Office (760) 337-4400 1661 So. 4th Street El Centro, CA 92243-4561 (Imperial Co.) Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species f you have any questions, feel free to contact ny of the following BLM offices in California: uestions? Catch and Release A large percent of California freshwater anglers are catch and release fishermen — meaning they are very careful with the fish after they catch them and they release them back to the water as quickly as possible. It is always a good thing to keep your fish in a “fish friendly” net in the water until you are ready to release it. Barbless hooks Leave No Trace How to photograph your catch Take only pictures and leave artifacts where you find them. The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 makes removal of cultural resources punishable by fines and jail time. When it’s a catch and release fish species or regulation, that creates a challenge for getting a photo of your prize catch. Remember if you’re in a catch and release scenario keep the fish in the water at all times and take the photo of you also harm fish less that barbed ones. The use of live bait holding the fish in the water. is also a detriment to catch and release fishing. Please If it’s a not catch and release and it’s a keeper then you remember, the fish you catch and release today may be can have it out of the water. the fish yo