South McCullough Wilderness Map

South McCullough, Wee Thump, Joshua Tree Wilderness Management Plan

44,252 acres

Location: 35 miles south of Las Vegas

Terrain: The wilderness area consists of a north-south mountain range that drops off gradually to numerous valleys, foothills and sloping bajadas on the east and west flanks. Elevations range from 2,500 feet in the northwest portion of the area to 7,026 feet at McCullough Mountain in the center of the wilderness. Most of the area is composed of metamorphosed Precambrian rock, granite and schist, although basalt and andesite flows occur in the northern portion.

Habitat Type: Creosote bush scrub occurs below 4,500 feet; Joshua trees, yucca and cacti occur between 3,500-5,000 feet; blackbrush occurs between 4,500-5,000 feet; pinyon-juniper occurs above 5,000 feet. Scattered mesquite/catclaw communities also occur in washes throughout the area.

Special Features:

• Signs of prehistoric habitation have been found in the area, including rock art, occupation sites and pine nut caches.

• Desert tortoise, Nelson bighorn sheep, Gambel’s quail and chukar are present.