Muddy Mountains

Muddy Mountains Wilderness https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/nevada https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muddy_Mountains Just an hour outside of Las Vegas' urban sprawl lies a place of wonder and mystery, an area of outrageous geology and colorful Mojave Desert habitat - the unique desert environment known as the Muddy Mountains Wilderness. This landscape on the north shore of Lake Mead contains four areas that offer stunning geology, a fragile desert ecosystem and a chance to get away from urban sprawl. It measures 18 miles long and 14 miles wide. Many of the areas in the Muddy Mountains region are accessible from state and county roads. The BLMs Bitter Springs Backcountry Byway gives visitors access to the Muddy Mountains Wilderness and the Buffington Pockets area. North Shore Drive in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area serves up stunning vistas of the Black Mountains. Or get out of your car to explore deeper into these areas. The Muddy Mountains region offers shadowy slot canyons, mind-bending geological formations and expansive views of Lake Mead. Solitude and silence are as common as the narrow canyons and gravelly washes.

Bureau of Land Management Photo Credit: Randy Kyes Southern Nevada District Office 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive Las Vegas, NV 89103 http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.1.html Size: 48,019 acres Elevation Range: 1,800 - 5,387 feet Designation: Clark County Conservation of Public Land and Natural Resources Act of 2002 BLM Muddy Mountains Wilderness Area Description Just an hour outside Las Vegas lie the Muddy Mountains, a magnificent range of rugged limestone cliffs and canyons along the north shore of Lake Mead. A thrust fault layers limestone over sandstone, with a “window” eroded through to reveal sandstone underneath at the Bowl of Fire and Hidden Valley. Contained partially within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the Muddy Mountains Wilderness is jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service. About seven miles of designated trail wind through the stunning and colorful sandstone outcrops of Hidden Valley, the conglomerate cliffs of Gale Hills, and the limestone slot canyon Anniversary Narrows. Petroglyphs, rock alignments, and other cultural resources in the area contribute to the area’s eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. Photo Credit: Randy Kyes Creosote is abundant, with desert catalpa trees nestled in the washes. Rare plants, including Las Vegas buckwheat and bear poppy, thrive in the red, gypsum-rich soils found in the lower elevations. Desert tortoise and bighorn sheep roam the wilderness, and banded Gila monsters can be found near water. Directions Hidden Valley may be accessed by driving the Bitter Springs Backcountry Byway approximately three miles east on the Valley of Fire Highway from Interstate 15. About four miles south of the Valley of Fire Highway on this rough dirt road, turn right at the sign for Color Rock Quarry. About three miles further lies the trailhead for Hidden Valley. Four-wheel drive and high clearance vehicles are recommended as road conditions are rough and variable. The Bowl of Fire and Anniversary Narrows are accessible from the paved Northshore Road. Callville Wash Road/Road 94 turns north off Northshore Road at mile marker 16. Four-wheel drive is recommended. Road 94A turns left off of Callville Wash Road, leading to Anniversary Narrows. From Callville Wash Road/Road 94, each of three main washes that intersect the Northshore Road lead to the Bowl of Fire. Recreation Motorized vehicles, mechanized equipment, and mechanical transport are not permitted in designated wilderness. Photo Credit: Randy Kyes Maps USGS 7.5 Quadrangle Maps: Dry Lake SE, Muddy Peak, Bitter Spring, Government Wash, Callville Bay. Additional Information • No camping is allowed within sight of trials, and half a mile from National Park Service designated roads. • No camping is allowed within 300 feet of water sources. • Recommended maximum group size: 12 members. • Camping is limited to a total of 14 days in one location, and no more than 90 days total within any consecutive 12-month period. • Stock cannot be restrained within 200 feet of water. • Campfires are allowed, except during regional fire restrictions, with use of a fire pan or blanket. Visitors are encouraged to only use camp stoves. Photo Credit: Randy Kyes Southern Nevada District Office The Muddy Mountains Wilderness provides a striking backdrop for hiking, horseback riding, and camping. Rock climbing and scrambling are allowed without the placement of fixed anchors. Hunting is permissible, but because of fragile vegetation and cryptogamic soil crusts, crosscountry use of recreational riding or pack stock is not permitted. The only exception is for members of a hunting party in possession of a valid state hunting license and tag, and in pursuit of big game during hunting. Backcountry permits are not required. No warranty is made by the Bureau of Land Management as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of these data for individual use or aggregate use with other data. Original data were compiled from various sources. This information may not meet National Map Accuacy standards. This product was developed through digital means and may be updated without notification. Southern Nevada District Office N BLM Muddy Mountains Wilderness