Darwin Falls Wilderness
| Darwin Falls Wilderness | |
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IUCN category Ib (wilderness area)
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| Location | Inyo County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Darwin, CA |
| Coordinates | 36°20′36″N 117°35′59″W / 36.34333°N 117.59972°WCoordinates: 36°20′36″N 117°35′59″W / 36.34333°N 117.59972°W |
| Area | 8,190 acres (3,310 ha) |
| Established | October 31, 1994 |
| Governing body | Bureau of Land Management |
The Darwin Falls Wilderness is the area adjacent to Darwin Falls, it has a unique location in the northern Mojave Desert, just west of Death Valley National Park. The Darwin falls Wilderness is a part of the National Wilderness Preservation System rooted by the California Desert Protection Act (Public Law 103-433) and guided by the Bureau of Land Management. The Darwin Falls Wilderness Area was founded on October 31, 1994 totaling up to 8,176 acres of land. The Darwin Wilderness is made up of several distinct landmarks, including The Darwin Plateau, an area between The Inyo Mountains to the north, and the Coso Range to the south. The wilderness area is also near the Darwin Hills, a mountain range in Inyo County and the Argus Range, west of the Panamint Range.
The area also holds a large variety of volcanic rock. The South Darwin Falls is later followed by Darwin Canyon. The Darwin Falls area is abundant in many forms of shrubs, Joshua trees, and cottonwoods. The prairie falcon is one of the most populous species of birds in the area. The Darwin Falls Wilderness is very similar to a desert ecosystem when observing climate, animal species, and plant species. There is also two springs located to the east of the Darwin Falls Wilderness area. It is one of the protected areas of the Mojave Desert.
Darwin falls, which the wilderness is ultimately known for, is a sort of oasis on the park's western edge, that has a waterfall flowing year-round in a narrow gorge into a large pond of cool water surrounded by trees and mossy rocks. Though swimming is prohibited to protect wildlife, the lush environment offers protection from the oppressive heat, which averages 100 degrees in May and attracts over 80 species of birds.
Death Valley was an enormous natural obstacle that pioneers, settlers, and miners alike had to face entering California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Its extreme temperatures and harsh living environments made the valley an undesirable place to settle, yet the mysterious land had hopeful 49ers exploring the desert. Death Valley National Park is the largest national park outside of Alaska, it contains the lowest, hottest, driest location in the Western Hemisphere.
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