With an eye to the potential environmental impact of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan, the Wilderness Society is planning to spotlight 12 California desert treasures in upcoming tours. Reporter Dan Stork tells about one scheduled for the Whitewater Canyon area tomorrow…
Matt Jatovsky, a former ranger at the Mojave National Preserve and now California Desert Representative for The Wilderness Society, will be working with partners to lead public tours of treasured areas in the desert to remind people what is at stake in this rare landscape.
The first tour on Saturday Oct. 18 will be co-led by with The Wildlands Conservancy to explore Whitewater Canyon and the conservancy’s adjacent Mission Creek Preserve. The moderate, 3-hour, 4-mile-round trip hike will start at 8:00 am at the Mission Creek Preserve parking area, located at the end of Mission Creek Road off Highway 62. Participants must bring adequate water, a snack and wear sturdy shoes. Space is limited. Please RSVP at [email protected]
The hike will include views of Whitewater Canyon and Mount San Gorgonio and explore Mission Creek’s lush wetlands and perennial stream that provide important habitat for the endangered least Bell’s vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher. These areas are also home to deer, bear, bighorn sheep and mountain lion. Spring rains bring wildflowers and the Pacific Crest Trail connects to the preserve.
WILDERNESS SOCIETY HIKES WHITEWATER CANYON TOMORROW
