The Chuckwalla Bench, like nowhere else on earth

“To those devoid of imagination a blank place on the map is a useless waste; to others, the most valuable part.”
― Aldo Leopold

What is the Chuckwalla Bench?

The Chuckwalla Bench is an Area of Critical Environmental Concern that could be at risk of development. In this article, we’ll explain why this place is so amazing, and why it deserves protection.

The Chuckwalla Bench is a spectacular landscape abundant with wildlife and rare desert plants, with many opportunities for recreation and wildlife viewing. As one of the largest intact ecosystems, this landscape has immense ecological value. It is also a large area; it lies between the Chocolate and the Chuckwalla mountain ranges in the Colorado Desert in Southern California, stretching from Joshua Tree National Park nearly to the international border with Mexico near Yuma.

Accessible to everyone

With hundreds of miles of trails and roads, there are endless opportunities for exploration, rock-hounding, hiking, camping, and hunting. Long-term visitor areas include camping facilities at Wiley’s Well, Coon Hollow, and Corn Springs.

The historic Bradshaw Trail runs across the southern section, providing a window back in time to days when gold was moved through this part of the desert by wagon train. Because of its remote location, Chuckwalla Bench has incredible dark night skies where you can see the Milky Way, constellations, and planets, without the light pollution that is so common in other parts of Southern California.

Rare species

Several species of plants in the Chuckwalla Bench exist nowhere else on earth. These include the rare Munz Cholla cactus, the Mecca Aster, and the Orocopia Sage.

Although it’s a cactus, the Munz Cholla can, incredibly, grow to the size of a tree. The Munz Cholla is sometimes confused with another type of cactus called the “jumping Cholla,” named for its uncanny ability to latch onto passerby.

The Chuckwalla Bench is critical habitat for the threatened Agassizi’s Desert Tortoise and the endangered Sonoran Pronghorn (expected to be re-introduced in coming years). It is prime habitat for the burro deer, which is a type of mule deer that has adapted to desert living.

It also contains unusually high densities of birds, reptiles, and mammals.

Other natural features of note include microphyll woodlands, volcanic spires, broad washes, cactus gardens, and stunning desert and mountain views.

Top five things to see in the Chuckwalla Bench

• Take a drive along Bradshaw Trail.
• Visit the Hauser Geode Beds to dig for geodes and thunder eggs.
• Walk through desert forests along Milpitas Wash. These desert forests are called microphyll woodlands due to the tiny leaves on desert shrubs and trees.
• Hike the volcanic peaks of the Little Chuckwalla Mountains.
• Plan a camping trip on a new moon to see the Milky Way like you’ve never seen it before.

The Chuckwalla Bench is currently under threat

The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) is currently the most comprehensive plan for managing and protecting the natural resources of the Chuckwalla Bench. It balances renewable energy development with conservation and recreation. Prior to the development of the DRECP, massive industrial-scale wind farms were in the planning stages for the heart of the Chuckwalla Bench. The roads and transmission lines associated with the wind farms would have eliminated public access, carved up and destroyed pristine habitat lands, and industrialized this natural wonderland.

Earlier this year, the administration announced its plan to re-open the DRECP, potentially putting the Chuckwalla Bench at risk of development. The public has an opportunity to comment on the plan until March 22, 2018.

These are your public lands! Add your voice to defend the California #DesertPlan at desertlands.org/action .

Learn about nine other spectacular must-see places in the California desert that may be under threat if the DRECP is re-opened.