Owens Peak Wilderness

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Owens Peak Wilderness
IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
Owens Peak Wilderness
Location California, USA
Nearest city Bakersfield, CA
Coordinates 35°44′″N 117°59′″W / <span class="geo-dec geo" title="Maps, aerial photos, and other data for Expression error: Unexpected / operator Expression error: Unexpected / operator">Expression error: Unexpected / operator, Expression error: Unexpected / operator
Area 74,640 acres (302 km²)
Established 1994
Governing body U.S. Bureau of Land Management

The majority of the Owens Peak Wilderness is comprised of the rugged eastern face of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Owens Peak, the high point of the southern Sierra Nevada's, rises more than 8,400 feet. The mountainous terrain has deep, winding, open and expansive canyons, many which contain springs with extensive riparian vegetation. This area is a transition zone between the Great Basin, Mojave Desert and Sierra Nevada ecoregions. Vegetation varies considerably with a creosote desert scrub community on the bajadas, scattered yuccas, cacti, annuals, cottonwood and oak trees in the canyons and valleys and a juniper-pinyon woodland with sagebrush and digger/gray pine on the upper elevations. Wildlife includes mule deer, golden eagle and prairie falcon. Evidence of occupation by prehistoric peoples has been found throughout the wilderness. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through the wilderness along the crest and western side.

[edit] Mountain peaks

  • Backus Peak
  • Five Fingers (Aquila)
  • Mount Jenkins
  • Morris Peak
  • Owens Peak
  • Russell Peak

[edit] External links

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