Summary
Current Protection
Wilderness Study Area
Management Agency
Bureau of Land Management/ US Forest Service
Year Protected
1980
Total Area
20,120 Acres
Rugged, narrow, steep-walled canyons on both the east and west sides distinguish the Morey Peak area. With 5,000 feet of vertical relief from the valley floors to Morey Peak itself at 10,246 feet, this precipitous area offers surprising ecological diversity such as the perennial stream, South Sixmile Creek. This unique creek supports brook trout and the largest population of big game animals in this region of Nevada. Volcanic in nature, the summit of Morey Peak includes ancient Bristlecone Pines, one of only two known occurrences of these trees on volcanic soils. Willow, cottonwood, and aspen are found in the canyons, while limber pine occur at the higher elevations of the Morey Peak WSA. Cultural and historic resources are found throughout the Morey Peak area.
Agency Information
Managing Agency: US Forest Service
Local District: Austin-Tonopah Ranger District
Address: PO Box 130 Austin, NV 89310
Phone: (775) 964-2671
Morey Peak is part of the traditional homelands and lifeways of the Newe (Western Shoshone) people.
The 1980 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wilderness Inventory identified 20,120 acres for the Morey Peak Wilderness Study Area (WSA). Today, although the US Forest Service manages the entire WSA, technically 15,050 acres of the WSA lies within the jurisdiction of Forest Service while 5,070 acres of the WSA lie within lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Friends of Nevada Wilderness (FNW) has been actively advocating for conservation protections of Morey Peak since the 1970s. FNW's commitment to stewardship for Morey Peak includes natural, wilderness character, and dark sky monitoring along with various mapping projects in the region. For more information on the Conservation History of Morey Peak, see the Additional Resources tab on the left of this page.