Owens Peak Wilderness
This Wilderness is managed by:
The Bureau of Land Management’s
Bakersfield Office, and
Ridgecrest Office
Additional resources can be found on
The Bakersfield BLM Office Wilderness Site, and
The Ridgecrest BLM Office Wilderness Site
The California Desert Protection Act designated Owens Peak and the 74,060 acres surrounding it as wilderness in 1994. Here three drastically different ecosystems melt and clash: the pine forests of the Sierra, the sage scrub of the Great Basin, and the harsh but delicate Mojave Desert. At 8,400 feet, Owens Peak provides a grand overview of this wilderness which sees relatively little use from humans.
With the Pacific Crest Trail passing through the wilderness, this is an excellent hiking area. Other recreational opportunities are camping, backpacking and hunting. The ruggedness of this area and the vegetation make for some excellent photographic opportunities.
Vegetation varies considerably with a creosote desert scrub community on the bajadas, scattered yuccas, cacti, annuals, cottonwood, and oak trees in the canyons and valleys and juniper-pinyon woodlands with sagebrush and grey pine on the upper elevations. Two sensitive plants, Nine Mile Canyon phacelia (Phacelia novenmillensis), occurs in the pinyon woodlands and monkey flower (Mimulas shevocki) grows at lower elevations ranging from 3,500 – 4,000 feet immediately west of Walker Pass.
Wildlife of note in this area includes mule deer, black bear, mountain lion, golden eagle, and prairie falcon. There is one cattle exclosure at the Powers Well in the eastern portion of the wilderness. There are four spring developments and one guzzler located in the western portion of the wilderness maintained by BLM and CDFG.
Enjoying the Owens Peak Wilderness
Maximum Group Size
There is no maximum group size for the Owens Peak Wilderness.
Wilderness Permits
Camping is permitted though limited to 14 days. After 14 days, campers must relocate at least 25 miles from their previous site. Permits are not required.
Campfires
Gathering wood for campfires is limited to dead and down materials. Live vegetation can not be cut. Why?
Pets
Domestic pets are allowed so long as they are under control and do not harass wildlife.
Other Considerations
- Horses are permitted, however, you may be required to carry feed.
- Removal, disturbance, or attempting to remove archaeological materials is a felony. Selling, receiving, purchasing, transporting, exchanging, or offering to do so is prohibited by law.
Contact
Bureau of Land Management
Bakersfield Field Office
3801 Pegasus Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93308
(661) 391-6000
Bureau of Land Management
Ridgecrest Field Office
300 S. Richmond Road
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
(760) 384-5400
