In the Spotlight
National Monument Volunteers "Lead the Way"
Volunteers Ada Nuckels and Ben Rooney display awards for their work at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, in partnership with the Friends of the Desert Mountains, accomplished much with volunteers during this past year. More than 75 volunteers contributed 7,015 total hours worked. Volunteers were recognized at a volunteer appreciation event held at the National Monument Visitor Center. This event is held annually to celebrate and recognize the “Monumental” effort of our volunteers who “Lead the Way” as an example for volunteers everywhere who want to get things done.
Volunteer Ada Nuckels’ efforts were phenomenal last year. Ada was only 8 hours short of 1000 to win the “Peak Performer Award.” Ada was also voted by all the other volunteers to receive the National Monument “Volunteer of the Year Award.” Ben Rooney, age 14, was voted “Youth Volunteer of the Year” for a second year in a row.
Abandoned mines Secured to make recreation safer
BLM inspector Lori Ford meets with Ed Winchester from Frontier Environmental Solutions, Inc. to view a steel cupola that was constructed over a dangerous mine shaft on the Sunland Trail.
Hills and mountains around the surrounding communities of Ridgecrest have been of interest to prospectors and miners since the 1880s. Hikers, horseback riders, and bicyclists use trails and routes that were once used by miners and visitors often see abandoned mine land features such as adits, shafts, and trenches.
Recently, fifteen abandoned mine features varying in depth from 5 to 60-feet were backfilled and 5 locations were covered with gates of heavy steel, making the area much safer for people and animals.
Get Outside in
America's Great Outdoors
Explore the roads and trails of the El Paso Mountains leading you into a region known for its dazzling canyons, historic mining areas, and primitive desert landscapes. This area is a Limited Use Area and is open to motorized vehicle use on existing routes and trails (unless posted closed). The El Pasos offer great opportunities for exploring with a sport utility vehicle, dual sport motorcycle, mountain bike, on horseback or on foot.
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