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Pam Starr
Alyn Robert Brereton
Julie MacKinnon
Linda Pittman
Parham Pourahmad
Larry Whiting
Randall Finley
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| Providence Mountains State Recreation Area - Site # 174 | |||
| Background: | Spectacular eastern Mojave scenery. Sun-scorched washes and mesas rise 7,000 feet from Clipper Valley, meeting weathered crags that offer magnificent East Mojave vistas. An ancient ocean, limestone rock, and time formed the cool Mitchell Caverns, home to California myotis bats and rare pseudo-scorpions. Joshua trees, cactus gardens, and creosote sustain threatened desert tortoises, kangaroo rats, greater roadrunners, and ladder-backed woodpeckers. Thirty-five reptile and amphibian species reside here, including chuckwallas, desert-collared lizards, and banded geckos. Resident bushtits, verdins, and wrens are joined by migratory finches, warblers, and orioles. Antelope ground squirrels, coyotes, and gray foxes move through open country at dawn and dusk. Look for elusive desert bighorn sheep near Crystal Spring and watch the skies for nearly a dozen hawk and owl species. | ||
| The Habitat: | Habitat is High Desert with an amazing display of Barrel Cactus | ||
| The Experience: | The only place in the world that have a spider beetle and psudo- scorpion. These two are found only in the caverns | ||
| Wildlife and Where to Find It: | Crystal Springs trail 3/4 mi 700 ft elevation gain difficult. Cavern trail 1/2 mile one way moderate hike | ||
| Viewing Tips: | 140 bird species. Upland birds and birds of prey are seen year-round. High probability of seeing songbirds in April and May, bats year-round. Watch for small mammals and predators year-round; coyotes are readily seen. Reptiles can be seen from May to October. Few trails, open hiking. Remote. Adjacent to the new Mohave National Park. COME PREPARED FOR THE DESERT. | ||
| Site Notes: | The highlight of Mitchell Caverns are the Caverns. The tour is about one and a half hours with a chance of seeing Chuckawallas, bats and maybe a Ring tail cat. | ||
| Nearby Viewing Sites: | none | ||
| Visitor Information: | Hole in the wall visitor center - 760-928-2572 - none | ||
| Viewing Site Hours of Operation are: | |||
| Staff On-site: | Yes | ||
| Open: | Everday | ||
| Hours: | 9an to 4pm | ||
| Year Round: | Yes | ||
| Road Information: |  Paved. | ||
| Roads available year-round. | |||
| Road Hazards: Pot holes | |||
 Number of Parking Spaces: 40 | |||
| Parking Fee: Yes | |||
| Proximity to viewing area:50 yards | |||
 Pull-Through Parking: No | |||
| Parking Notes: | |||
| How to Get There: | From Interstate 40 about 100 miles east of Barstow, take Essex Road north 16 miles to visitor center. | ||
| Contact Information | |||
| Managing Agency: | California State Parks | ||
| Agency Site URL: | None | ||
| Physical Address: | 38200 Essex Rd Essex CA, CA 92332 |
Agency 2: | P.O. Box 1 Essex, CA, CA 92332 |
| Manager Phone: | 760-928-2586 | Contact Us: | by Email |
| Site Phone: | 760-928-2586 | ||
| County: | San Bernardino | ||
| Addition Website: | |||