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

Sacatar Trail Wilderness

Size: 50,451 acres. Sacatar Trail

Location: Inyo and Tulare Counties; 20 miles northwest of Ridgecrest, California (Note: Boundary set backs from roads or trails are 30 to 300 feet)

Area Description : This wilderness encompasses the rugged pristine eastern face of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Topography ranges from valley, canyons and alluvial fans to steep hills that lead into granite peaks and ridgetops reaching elevations of more that 7,800 feet. Vegetation is extremely diversified with creosote bush, desert shrubs and Joshua trees on the lower slopes and cacti and scattered pinyon-juniper woodlands on the upper slopes. Several of the canyons are complemented by springs with their riparian habitats of cottonwoods, willows and grasses. The Sacatar Trail, an old wagon road and one of the few evidences of man in this area, provides backcountry access into this wilderness. Wildlife within the area includes mule deer, golden eagle, prairie falcon, quail and dove.

Getting There : Access this wilderness from the east via U.S. Highway 395 north of Inyokern and along dirt routes into Sacatar Canyon, Portuguese Canyon (four-wheel drive only), Lewis Canyon (SE93), and Tunawee Canyon; and
the south via U.S. Highway 395 north of Inyokern along Ninemile Canyon Road.

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: