Aubrey Peak Wilderness

A large cliff-encircled mesa, Aubrey Peak dominates the middle of the eastern half of this Wilderness, which ranges in elevation from approximately 1,600 feet to 3,000 feet. It is a land of stark geologic formations eroded by wind and water into brightly colored volcanic sculptures — a world of natural windows, tufa caves, spires, slickrock terraces, and tinajas, the deep water-filled pockets — with numerous other mesas, buttes, volcanic plugs, and serpentine canyons. The Wilderness sits in a transition zone between the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. Stands of imposing saguaro, paloverde, ironwood, and smoke trees, typical of the Sonoran Desert, merge with Joshua trees and other Mojave species to create a patchwork quilt of vegetation. Available water makes this area a desert bird-watcher's paradise: verdins, crissal thrashers, black-throated sparrows, Abert's towhees, and black-tailed gnatcatchers, to name a few. If you are lucky you may glimpse a herd of desert bighorn sheep, discovered here recently and unusual for this region. Little rain falls, so be prepared with plenty of drinking water. Higher elevations receive more precipitation, some as winter snow, but the summer climate is harsh, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees; October through April is more moderate. There are no established trails, though the hiking is easy — follow the washes and orient yourself using the distinctive rock formations. A few unmaintained two-track primitive routes leading to long-abandoned mines may also be used for hiking. Designated in 1990 and managed by the Bureau of Land Management.