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Wilderness Area Status
Designated Wilderness Area
Year Designated: 2004
Act or Law: Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation and Development Act of 2004
Acres: 24413
State Region: Eastern Nevada
County Regions: Lincoln
Management
Managing Agency: Bureau of Land Management
Local District: Ely Field Office
Contact Info: (775) 289-1800
702 North Industrial Way HC 33 Box 33500 Ely, NV89301
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Area Description
Straddling the border with Utah, this little known wilderness of gentle mountain terrain rises steadily from 6,200 to a high peak over 9,000 feet in the north. Combined with the recommended Utah portion, the White Rock Range Wilderness includes side canyons lush with riparian habitat, pine and fir woodlands, and an extensive upland with wet meadows, open sagebrush country, and two ephemeral lakes.
Recreation
White Rock is notable for springs which ease camping and hiking. Two high, but intermittent, mountain lakes exist.
Flora
Mostly forested with juniper, pinyon and fir, the north end includes high open sagebrush, ponderoa pine, white fir and aspen. Interspersed throughout are numerous small, grassy meadows where springs support riparian vegetation. On the north end, the ridge flattens into a high, broad, windswept table interrupted by pockets of aspen and fir. Large aspens, twisted and contorted by wind and weather, are perfect for unique photos. Volcanic boulders are colored with splotches of lichen. Islands of strangely-eroded volcanic ash and columnar peaks thrust out of, and tower over, the sea of green trees.
Fauna
Deer and blue grouse live here. 18,200 acres have been identified as crucial summer deer habitat. The bugling of a resident elk herd often haunts the autumn days.
This wilderness is a component of the Bureau of Land Management's National Conservation Lands.
Wildlife:
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