|
Services, Getting There Austin 35 miles to the northwest. Access is via Forest Route 43138. Hikes & Trails
Related Areas White Rock Mtn Citizen Area to the north; Wildcat Peak Citizen Area immediately south Atlas Information DeLorme-pg 46; Benchmark-pg 58 |
Wilderness Area Status Citizen Proposed Area Management Managing Agency: Forest Service Area Description The North Toquima range features an incredible high mountain landscape with four named peaks above 10,000 ft. Two of these peaks can be found within the small Masket Peak area: West Knob, 10,274 ft and Masket Peak, 10,487 ft. Most of the area is high and mountainous, characterized by rolling sagebrush plain with many seeping springs and mountain mahogany growing in a spectacular, windswept character of the high desert landscape. Above 9,000 ft limber pine and bristlecone pine sparsely cover ridgelines and plateaus. Many trees appear to be over a thousand years old with gnarled, twisted trunks. Aspens grow among the sage meadows and mahogany groves and flow down the east side of the area following the riparian areas. Healthy communities consisting of wild rose, native grasses, aspen, willow, and serviceberry define these habitats. Along the east side of the unit, Ikes and June Canyons feature large and unique limestone formations and deep amphitheaters. Ancient fossils abound in this 450 million-year-old strata. These canyons plunge all the way down to the alluvial lowlands of the Monitor Valley. This alluvial plain supports healthy populations of pronghorn and many desert plant and animal species. Sagebrush and native grass communities dominate the flora along with cacti and a host of seasonal wildflowers and perennial herbs. Piñon Pine and Utah Juniper compose the mid elevation plant life, growing thick in jungle-like woodlands in steep canyons and high up the rugged, mountainous slopes.
Wildlife Masket Peak hosts habitat for a variety of wildlife, including 2000 acres of prime sage grouse habitat. The Toquima range boasts one of the healthiest populations of Mule deer in the entire state of Nevada, with winter and summer habitat readily available. Besides the sage grouse and the Mule deer, wildlife includes: elk; pronghorn; feral horses and burros; cougar; coyote; cottontail rabbit; jackrabbit; golden eagle; harrier, swainson, coopers and red tail hawk; northern kite; long eared and great horned owl; kestrel and prairie falcon; sparrows; nuthatch; northern flicker; bluebird; raven; clarks nutcracker; horned lark; sage thrasher; horned, collared and sagebrush lizards. |
Do you like this page?