Pioneertown Mountains Preserve
{{use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Short description|Nature reserve in San Bernardino County, California}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Pioneertown Mountains Preserve
| iucn_category = V
| photo =
| photo_width =
| photo_caption =
| map = California
| relief = 1
| map_caption = Location of Pioneertown Mountains Preserve
| coords = {{coord|34|10|20|N|116|32|46|W|type:landmark_region:US-CA|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| location = San Bernardino County, California
| nearest_city = Pioneertown, California
| area = {{convert|25500|acre|km2}}
| created = 1995
| elevation_min = {{convert|3600|feet|meters}}
| elevation_max = {{convert|6450|feet|meters}}
| operator = The Wildlands Conservancy
| website = [https://wildlandsconservancy.org/preserves/pioneertownmountains Pioneertown Mountains Preserve]
}}
Pioneertown Mountains Preserve is a nature preserve owned and managed by The Wildlands Conservancy, a nonprofit land conservancy. Consisting of {{convert|25500|acre|km2}} of land in San Bernardino County, California, the preserve features geologically interesting mountain ranges and riparian zones. It is located in the Mojave Desert in the eastern San Bernardino Mountains. More preserves can be found in the list of preserves.
Recreation
The preserve has hiking trails, a picnic area, and a restroom. The Indian Loop Trail passes through a wetland from a perennial stream and climbs to a ridge with views of rocky peaks. It passes by the Olsen Cabin ruins. A spur trail ascends Chaparrosa Peak, which provides views in all directions. The peak is on the Hundred Peaks Section list.{{cite news
|title=Out of the Park: These High Desert hikes lead to sand dunes, a palm oasis, and even a volcanic crater.
|first=Steven|last=Biller|date=March 31, 2022|newspaper=Palm Springs Life
|url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/hike-joshua-tree/
|access-date=May 11, 2022
}} Sawtooth Loop encircles the Sawtooth Mountains, which have massive jumbles of boulders.{{cite news
|title=Need to exercise amid the coronavirus pandemic? Here are 5 great hikes in Palm Springs area
|first=Shane|last=Newell|date=March 21, 2020|newspaper=Palm Springs Desert Sun
|url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/environment/2020/03/21/coronavirus-exercise-five-hikes-palm-springs/2891521001/
|via=northjersey.com|access-date=December 18, 2021
}}
Geography
The preserve is notable for its rock formations, desert-riparian corridor, and diverse ecology. Pipes Canyon and Little Morongo Canyon are year-round riparian corridors.
Flora and fauna
Scrub oak is growing in place of the vegetation burned in 2006.
History
In the 1930s, a stone cabin was built in Pipes Canyon by a miner. Ruins of this cabin remain.
In 1995, The Wildlands Conservancy acquired the property and opened the preserve to the public, making it the first Wildlands Conservancy preserve.
In 2006, the Sawtooth Complex Fire severely burned most vegetation in the preserve. The area has begun recovering.{{cite news|first=Trevor|last=Summons|date=2016-01-05
|title=Pioneertown area rebounding from fire|url=https://www.dailybulletin.com/2016/01/05/pioneertown-area-rebounding-from-fire/|work=Daily Bulletin
}}
In 2017, a severe flash flood caused extensive damage in Pipes Canyon. The upper part of Pipes Canyon Trail, beyond the Olsen Ruins, was destroyed and has not been reopened. Debris flows covered the road into the preserve 3-5 feet deep.{{cite web
|title=Pioneertown Road, Pipes Canyon Road, and the Indian Loop Trail experienced severe flooding
|last=The Wildlands Conservancy|website=Facebook|date=August 8, 2017
|url=https://www.facebook.com/PioneertownMountains/videos/pioneertown-road-pipes-canyon-road-and-the-indian-loop-trail-experienced-severe-/1440242132737168/?__so__=permalink&__rv__=related_videos
|title=Classic flash flood in the desert
|last=The Wildlands Conservancy|website=Facebook|date=August 12, 2017
|url=https://www.facebook.com/PioneertownMountains/videos/friday-afternoon-was-a-great-example-of-a-classic-flash-flood-in-the-desert-heav/1443899879038060/
}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://wildlandsconservancy.org/preserves/pioneertownmountains Pioneertown Mountains Preserve]
- [https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/pioneertown-mountains-preserve-inaturalist-notebook Pioneertown Mountains Preserve Notebook on iNaturalist]
- {{cite gnis |id=240477 |name=Chaparrosa Peak}}
- {{cite peakbagger |pid=1406 |name=Chaparrosa Peak, California}}
Category:Nature reserves in California
Category:Protected areas of San Bernardino County, California
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