Wild Lands & Rivers
Orocopia Mountains Proposed Wilderness Additions
Size: 4,835 acres
Management Agency: Bureau of Land Management
Description:
The stunningly beautiful Orocopia Mountains Wilderness and the 3,760 acres of proposed wilderness additions on its flanks were the site of much historic mineral prospecting, especially for gold. In fact, “Orocopia” translates into “plentiful gold.” The region is geologically interesting in another sense because the San Andreas Fault slices
through it and earthquakes through the millennia have twisted and broken the landscape into fascinating and colorful canyons, cliffs, jagged peaks and other features.
The Orocopia Mountains shelter bighorn sheep, prairie falcon, Bendire's thrasher, and desert tortoise among a host of other species. This array of wildlife is matched by an immense diversity of plants, including ayenia, California ditaxis, Coves' cassia, crucifixion thorn, desert sand-parsley, Las Animas colubrine, mesquite bedstraw, Orocopia sage and spearleaf. The area also supports desert fan palm oases.
Hikers and equestrians who visit the area are treated to wonderful views of the nearby Salton Sea from many locations.