Argus Range Wilderness

Nestling in the Argus Range, a thin and narrow north-south mountain chain, this Wilderness stretches for 28 miles along the west side of the Panamint Valley, just south and west of Death Valley National Park and just east of the China Lake Naval Weapons Center. The Argus Range is comprised of dry desert mountains with steep slopes and highly dissected canyons, and elevations vary from about 2,800 feet on the east side to more than 7,500 feet on the west. Several springs support a small population of desert bighorn sheep. Vegetation is dominated by creosote scrub communities on the lower slopes, with occasional piñon-juniper communities at higher elevations. Remains of old mining activity and a few prehistoric sites are scattered throughout the Wilderness. Trails are not maintained here, but you should find some relatively easy hiking up several canyons that open on the east side.