Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness
Vegetation
Vegetation in Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness includes pockets of yucca, cholla, and mesquite, as well as riparian vegetation such as Fremont cottonwood along several intermittent streams. Higher up toward the Pine Valley Mountains are pinyon pine and juniper. The endangered purple-spined hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii var. purpureus) may occur in the area.
Wildlife
A variety of wildlife is found in Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness, including mule deer, mountain lion, bobcat, and kit fox, as well as Gila monster and chuckawalla - both of which are on the State of Utah's list of sensitive species due to shrinking habitat. The federally threatened desert tortoise can also be found in the wilderness. Common bird species include Gambel's quail, mourning dove, prairie falcon, golden eagle, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and the more common red-tailed, Cooper's, and sharp-shinned hawks.
Recreation
There are several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails in Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness. All vehicles including bicycles are prohibited in the wilderness. There are also opportunities for rock climbing and wildlife viewing in the wilderness. Visitors should practice Leave No Trace principles.
See also
References
- ^ "Cottonwood Canyon". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ "Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness Map". Wilderness.net. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
- ^ Holt, Rush D. (March 30, 2009), Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, Washington, DC: Library of Congress, archived from the original on December 12, 2012, retrieved May 26, 2012
- ^ "The Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness". Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
- ^ "Red Cliffs National Conservation Area" (PDF). U.S. Forest Service. November 12, 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ^ "Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness". Bureau of Land Management. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ^ "Cottonwood Canyon". Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ^ Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness (PDF) (Map). St. George Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
External links
- "Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness". Wilderness.net.