Riverside County Wild Places

Focus Area: Riverside County (HR 6270)

Agua Tibia: The Agua Tibia Proposed Wilderness Addition (1,950 acres, co-managed by the Cleveland National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management), provides a haven for the rosy boa, coast horned lizard and other sensitive species with dwindling habitats. It is a land of steep canyons cloaked in coastal sage scrub and groves of pine and fir, with willow, cottonwood and other hardwoods growing along its larger streams.

Bautista Creek: The Bautista Creek proposed Wild and Scenic River supports the largest number of sensitive and endangered wildlife species on the San Bernardino National Forest. The creek is home to nationally significant populations of endangered arroyo toad and San Bernardino kangaroo rat, as well as the endangered southwestern willow fly-catcher and Quino checkerspot butterfly.

Bautista Creek also has outstanding cultural and historical values. There are several documented Native American place names within the drainage. In addition, Bautista Creek was the route of the historic de Anza expeditions in 1774 and 1776.

Beauty Mountain: The Beauty Mountain Proposed Wilderness (16,700 acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management) includes Million Dollar Spring, considered to be one of the most pristine watersheds in all of southwestern California. The area serves as a critical bridge for migrating wildlife in the rapidly urbanizing region and contains fascinating rock formations and oak woodlands, all overlooked by the majestic 5,548 peak of Beauty Mountain itself.

Cahuilla Mountain: Cahuilla Mountain (7,131 acres managed by the San Bernadino National Forest) offers spectacular views of the historic Juan Bautista de Anza Trail, San Jacinto Peak, Palomar Mountain, Beauty Mountain and the vast desert landscape to the southeast. The area is home to mountain lion, mule deer, mountain quail and California quail, as well as the rare large-blotched salamander and red diamond rattlesnake.

Joshua Tree: Joshua Tree National Park (78,150 acres, co-managed by the National Park Service and Joshua Tree National Park) provides a multitude of recreational activities for its visitors, who come from all over the world to enjoy opportunities for rock climbing, hiking and riding. The park’s sweeping valleys, craggy peaks and narrow canyons provide refuge for bighorn sheep and desert tortoise, as well as diverse cactus gardens and the distinctive Joshua tree.

South Fork San Jacinto: The South Fork San Jacinto area (21,760 acres managed by the San Bernadino National Forest) presents visitors with lush groves of big-cone Douglas fir, willow and cottonwood. The rich streamside forests, visited by thousands of hikers each year, are home to mountain lion, mule deer, mountain quail and bald eagle. The proposed wilderness includes Bautista Creek, considered by many biologists to be one of the most ecologically important streams in the San Bernadino National Forest because of the number and variety of rare plants and animals it supports, including the endangered Quino checkerspot butterfly and slender-horned spineflower.

North Fork San Jacinto: Currently managed by the San Bernadino National Forest, the areas surrounding the North Fork San Jacinto and its tributary, Fuller Mill Creek, represent key habitats for the endangered Mountain yellow-legged frog, as well as sensitive species such as the California spotted owl, rubber boa and the San Bernadino flying squirrel. The Pacific Crest Trail and popular Seven Pines Trail cross this area, providing excellent recreational hiking opportunities.

Snow Creek: The Snow Creek proposed addition (50 acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management) provides habitat for endangered species including the Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard and the Coachella Valley milkvetch. It represents a crucial wildlife movement corridor, linking habitats for a broad collection of plant and animal species such as the mountain lion, badger and antelope ground squirrel.

Santa Rosa Peak Addition: This area (3,507 acres managed by the US Forest Service) provides scenic campgrounds for visitors to the Santa Rosa National Monument as well as habitat for the rare Gray Vireo. Its addition represents a valuable opportunity to bring the area under the stewardship of the Monument, offering increased management efficiencies and more involved stewardship of its habitat.

Palm Canyon Creek: Palm Canyon Creek (managed by the San Bernadino National Forest) provides an important sanctuary for the endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep and southwestern willow flycatcher, and also supports the largest California fan palm oasis in the United States. The region has special significance for Native Americans, who have used its trails for thousands of years.

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