U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
California

Inyo Mountain Wilderness Area

Inyo Mountains Wilderness

Map
Legal Description

7.5 Topo Map 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Photo Gallery

Size: 124,970 acres. Inyo Mountains

Location: Inyo County; 5 miles east of Lone Pine, California (Note: Boundary set backs from roads or trails are 30 to 300 feet)

Area Description : Managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Inyo National Forest, this wilderness encompasses a large portion of the Inyo Mountains, which rise to 11,000 feet at Keynot Peak and separates the Owens Valley on the west and Saline Valley on the east. These mountains have maintained most of their pristine character due to the sheer ruggedness of the terrain. Evidence of historic and prehistoric man's use of the area has been found. Vegetation includes creosote, shadscale scrub, big sagebrush, lush riparian areas in most of the canyons on the eastern slope and pinyon-juniper woodland, bristlecone and limber pine on the higher reaches. Wildlife include desert bighorn sheep and the Inyo Mountain salamander.

Getting There : Access the southern boundary via the San Lucas Canyon or Cerro Gordo roads. The west and northern reaches via the Lone Pine-Owenyo and Mazourka Canyon Roads, and the east via Saline Valley Road. A four-wheel drive vehicle and advanced driving and survival skills are suggested.

Nonfederal Lands: Private lands may lie within the wilderness area. Please respect the land owner and do not use these lands without permission.

Additional Information :

For the hiking enthusiasts, the Beveridge Canyon and Lonesome Miner trails are located within this wilderness

Signs indicating "Wilderness" and "Closed Road" or "Closed Route" are placed at various intervals.  Vehicles can be parked outside the wilderness boundary; however, the boundary is set back 30 feet from unmaintained dirt roads and 300 feet on paved roads.

Mechanized or motorized vehicles are NOT PERMITTED in a wilderness.

Hunting, fishing, and non-commercial trapping are allowed under state and local laws.

Pet are allowed, but please keep your pets under control at all times.

Horses are permitted, however you may be required to carry feed.

Removal, disturbance, or attempting to remove archaelogical materials is a felony.  Selling, receiving, purchasing, transporting, exchanging or offering to do so is prohibited by law.

CAMPING: Camping is permitted, limited to 14 days.  After 14 days, campers must relocate at least 25 miles from previous site.

Help BLM preserve California's fragile deserts.  Please park your vehicle or set up camp in previously disturbed sites.

Gathering wood for campfires, when permitted, is limited to dead and down materials.  Do not cut live vegetation.

The BLM encourages all desert recreationists and travelers exploring public lands, not only within southern California but through the west, to use propylene glycol based antifreeze/coolant in their touring and recreation vehicles.  Proven safer, it will have minimal impacts on the wildlife and the environment should a leak occur.

Maps:

  • Desert Access Guide:
    •   Saline Valley
  • USGS 7.5 Quadrangle Maps:
    • Bee Springs Canyon
    • Cerro Gordo
    • Peak, Craig Canyon
    • Dolomite
    • Mazourka Peak
    • Nelson Range
    • New York Butte
    • Pat Keyes Canyon
    • Union Wash
    • Waucoba Canyon
    • Waucoba Spring,
    • Waucoba Mountain

    • Contact:

    Bishop Field Office

    Ridgecrest Field Office

    [Back]Go to BLM Wilderness List
    Please send comments to:
    Paul Brink, California Wilderness Coordinator
    pbrink@ca.blm.gov