U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
California

Piper Mountain Wilderness

Map
Legal Description
7.5 Topo Map 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Size: 72,191 acres. Piper Mountain

Location: Inyo County; 15 miles east of Bishop, California (Note: Boundary set backs from roads or trails are 30 to 300 feet)

Area Description : Portions of the Inyo, Sylvania, and Piper Mountains, for which this wilderness takes its name, can be found within this area of the California Desert. Alluvial fans cover large portions of the eastern side of the wilderness, with plains and hills also part of the landscape. Desert bighorn sheep habitat can be found in three areas within this wilderness. Sagebrush and juniper-pinyon woodland are the common vegetation, with conifer trees on the higher elevations. At the base of the Inyo Mountains, can be found one of the northernmost stands of Joshua trees.

Getting There : Access this wilderness via State Highway 168, approximately 20 miles north and east from Big Pine or via Big Pine-Death Valley Road, approximately 18 miles east and south of Big Pine. Check road conditions before driving.

Nonfederal Lands: Private lands may lie within the wilderness area. Please respect the  landowner and do not use these lands without permission.

Additional Information :

Signs indicating "Wilderness" and "Closed Road" or "Closed Route" are placed at various intervals.  Vehicles can be parked outside the wilderness boundary; however, the boundary is set back 30 feet from unmaintained dirt roads and 300 feet on paved roads.

Mechanized or motorized vehicles are NOT PERMITTED in a wilderness.

Hunting, fishing, and non-commercial trapping are allowed under state and local laws.

Pet are allowed, but please keep your pets under control at all times.

Horses are permitted, however you may be required to carry feed.

Removal, disturbance, or attempting to remove archaelogical materials is a felony.  Selling, receiving, purchasing, transporting, exchanging or offering to do so is prohibited by law.

CAMPING: Camping is permitted, limited to 14 days.  After 14 days, campers must relocate at least 25 miles from previous site.

Help BLM preserve California's fragile deserts.  Please park your vehicle or set up camp in previously disturbed sites.

Gathering wood for campfires, when permitted, is limited to dead and down materials.  Do not cut live vegetation.

The BLM encourages all desert recreationists and travelers exploring public lands, not only within southern California but through the west, to use propylene glycol based antifreeze/coolant in their touring and recreation vehicles.  Proven safer, it will have minimal impacts on the wildlife and the environment should a leak occur.

Maps:

  • Desert Access Guide:
    • Last Chance Range
       
  • USGS 7.5 Quadrangle Maps:
    • Chocolate Mountain
    • Cowhorn Valley
    • Deep Springs Lake
    • Horse Thief Canyon
    • Joshua Flats
    • Soldier Pass
    • Sylvania Canyon

Contact:

Ridgecrest Field Office

Califonia Desert District

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