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Services, Getting There Hikes & Trails Related Areas Map Information USGS topos: |
Wilderness Area Status BLM-inventoried Land with Wilderness Character in the Carson City District Resource Management Plan. Year Designated: Management Managing Agency: Bureau of Land Management Area Description The Rawe Peak area affords an outstanding natural habitats for wild species being displaced from the development of the Carson Valley and the Carson River. The area alternates between rolling upland sagebrush country, woodlands of pinyon pine, and steep canyons falling precipitously from the high rocky Rawe Peak ridgeline on the northern side. The long ridge of Rawe Peak itself sports rugged rock formations, dense thickets of mountain mahogany, and extensive sagebrush grasslands. Elevations vary between 4440 feet in the along Churchill Canyon on the east, to 4700 feet adjacent to the Carson River in the north, to 8343 feet atop the summit of Rawe Peak itself. Larger species include mountain lion, mule deer, pronghorn, wild horses, coyotes, bobcats, and black bear. Plant species include pinyon, juniper, ephedra, bitterbrush, sagebrush, horse brush, native bunch grasses, rice grass, atriplex, and Great Basin wild rye. The extensive volcanic plains and rimrock country of the eastern half of the unit provides critical winter habitat for many of the upper-elevation species. Many of these canyons support springs and short sections of perennial streams. Riparian vegetation in these canyons includes willows and cottonwood.
The Rawe Peak unit offers outstanding opportunities for solitude in the deep canyons, heavily wooded pinyon woodlands, the vast, open spaces of the eastern sagebrush volcanic plains. The long, ragged crest of the mountain provides outstanding opportunities to wander far above the surrounding country in complete solitude with only craggy volcanic ridges, the sky, and infinity vistas as companions. The dense mountain mahogany growing along the flanks of the central peak provide deep refuge and nearly impassible thickets for visitors to lose themselves in. The sagebrush upland balds create excellent habitat where experiences of solitude include encounters with elusive sage grouse. The vast, eastern low-growing sage plains provides an outstanding opportunity for solitude that includes chance meetings with herds of pronghorn. The quiet eastern canyons provide complete seclusion in the seldom visited riparian areas. |
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