Saddleback Butte State Park - California
Saddleback Butte State Park is in the Antelope Valley of the western Mojave Desert, in Southern California. It is located east of Lancaster, north of the community of Lake Los Angeles, and south of the city of Edwards in the unincorporated city of Hi Vista.
The prominent feature and namesake of the park is Saddleback Butte, a butte that is 3,651 feet (1,113 m) high.
Saddleback Butte State Park includes over 2,955 acres (4.617 sq mi) of land, and was created in 1960 to protect the area's Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) desert habitat.
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=618
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddleback_Butte_State_Park
Saddleback Butte State Park is in the Antelope Valley of the western Mojave Desert, in Southern California. It is located east of Lancaster, north of the community of Lake Los Angeles, and south of the city of Edwards in the unincorporated city of Hi Vista.
The prominent feature and namesake of the park is Saddleback Butte, a butte that is 3,651 feet (1,113 m) high.
Saddleback Butte State Park includes over 2,955 acres (4.617 sq mi) of land, and was created in 1960 to protect the area's Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) desert habitat.
Saddleback
Butte
State Park
Our Mission
The mission of California State Parks is
to provide for the health, inspiration and
education of the people of California by helping
to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological
diversity, protecting its most valued natural and
cultural resources, and creating opportunities
for high-quality outdoor recreation.
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California State Parks supports equal access.
Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who
need assistance should contact the park at
(661) 946-6092. If you need this publication in an
alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov.
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
For information call: (800) 777-0369
(916) 653-6995, outside the U.S.
711, TTY relay service
www.parks.ca.gov
Saddleback Butte
State Park
43230 172nd Street
East Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 946-6092
© 2009 California State Parks (Rev. 2015)
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— Randall Henderson
“On Desert Trails”
I
n the western Mojave Desert,
Saddleback Butte overlooks an alluvial
plain — vast blankets of decomposed
granite, sand, and silt shed from mountains
that eroded over millions of years. About 15
miles east of Lancaster, the park protects the
butte and the contorted Joshua trees dotting
the high desert landscape. The photogenic
shapes of these venerable trees stand tall
amid the fragrant creosote bushes.
The February through May spring season
brings breathtaking displays of wildflowers.
Summer temperatures can range from 95
to 115 degrees. October and November
are usually mild, but can change suddenly.
Frost and temperatures below freezing are
common in winter.
PARK HISTORY
Native People
Archaeological evidence reveals that this
area has been used by various native
groups for at least 10,000 years, when lakes
covered large portions of Antelope Valley.
These groups lived nearby until dramatic
climate changes dried up the lakes, forcing
the people to adapt their living patterns to
desert conditions. Although natives lived
in the area, no evidence exists of them
dwelling within the park boundaries.
Antelope Valley Settled
After the 1848 gold discovery, gold,
silver, and other minerals were mined in
Antelope Valley.
When the railroad came to the valley
in 1876, new towns sprang up and
led to widespread land speculation.
Successive wet years produced new
settlements based on livestock and
agriculture, but a series of dry years
caused many to lose their land
and animals.
Following World
War II, new irrigation
technology allowed access
to Antelope Valley’s
Desert
groundwater supplies.
tortoise
Water-hungry crops such
as alfalfa and onions now grow
throughout the valley, even during dry
years. Since the end of World War II,
defense and aerospace industries have
dominated the region.
NATURAL RESOuRCES
Saddleback Butte is a 3,651-foot solitary
mountain dating to the Cretaceous geologic
period, roughly 70 million years ago. The
2,955-acre park preserves habitat for
disappearing native plants and animals.
Daytime visitors may see foxes, rabbits,
and desert tortoises — a burrowing reptile
and threatened species. Beware of desert
rattlesnakes searching for rodents in the
evenings. Among rattlesnakes, Mojave
Mojave desert rain clouds
“green” rattlers have the
most toxic venom while
Mojave sidewinders have the least
toxic venom.
Joshua trees shelter desert night lizards,
wood rats, ladder-backed woodpeckers,
yucca moths, termites, and night snakes.
All of these creatures live in a mutually
beneficial relationship within the Joshua
tree, a member of the agave family.
Bird watchers will find many migratory
species; permanent avian residents
include golden eagles, hawks, owls, cactus
wrens, shrikes, and horned larks.
recreation
Visitor Center — The visitor center has
colorful displays and hands-on exhibits on
the area’s natural and cultural history. Call
(661) 946-6092 for visitor center hours.
Hiking — 2.5-mile Little Butte Trail begins
at the day-use area. At the butte’s base,
the trail merges with 2-mile Saddleback
Horses may use only the designated
equestrian trails and staging area; there is no
horse-camping area.
Park Programs — Call for group programs,
events, nature hikes, or Junior Ranger
program schedules.
Campsites at sunset
NEARBY STATE PARKS
• Antelope Valley Indian Museum, 20 mi.
east of Lancaster, E. Avenue M between
150th and 170th Sts. (661) 946-6092
• Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
15 mi. west of Lancaster, Avenue I
(661) 724-1206
• Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State
Park, 5 mi. west of Antelope Valley
California Poppy Reserve via
Lancaster Rd. (661) 724-1206
Photo courtesy of Elaine Macdonald
Butte Peak Trail. The main park road links
these two trails in a three-mi