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| Grimshaw Lake - Site # 286 | |||
| Background: | The Amargosa river flows along the surface all year long here supporting a historical natural wetland deep in the Mojave Desert on the eastern edge of Death Valley, the official hottest recorded site on earth. Here is a rich and unique blend of wildlife adapted to desert extremes, searing hot summer temperatures and below freezing winter nights. Several hundred bird species have been recorded here, including Least Bell's Vireo, SW Willow flycatcher, California Yellow-billed Cockoo and several hawks. The wetlands are on the edge of a large dry plays, and adjacent to the community of Tecopa Hot Springs. Because of the lack of adjacent habitat few species are found here from higher in the food chain. The site is most common with smaller mammals, tiny fish and birds; like the Amargosa Vole, Amargosa Pocket Gopher, Speckled Dace and Snowy Egrets. Two insect species easily observed in the summer, and recommended you avoid, are the Horsefly (locally known as Tecopa Bombers) and Deer Flies. | ||
| The Habitat: | The site is on the eastern edge of a dry playa several miles long and wide. The wetlands contain low water loving plants with scattered mesquite bosque along the eastern shore. Much of the wetlands adjoins the small developed community of Tecopa Hot Springs, with public access south and north of the community. | ||
| The Experience: | This watershed is the home to the endangered species act. The biological community along the river competes for the same water we humans require to support our communities. The survival of sensitive species in this watershed is an indicator of our societal commitments to priorities. The Devil's Hole pupfish is the historical legal case that directly led to passage of the ESA. The natural and man made springs that support these protected wetlands today were home to the first species to official be removed from the ESA because it went extinct, the Tecopa Pupfish in 1983. | ||
| Wildlife and Where to Find It: | Limited viewing of wetlands from vehicles along Tecopa Hot Springs Rd. and roads at County operated Tecopa Hot Springs. Good wetland viewing from about 2 miles of easy 4' wide trail along top of abandoned T&T railroad grade. | ||
| Viewing Tips: | The site is most popular for bird watching in the spring and fall. Here you can see songbirds; resident, migratory, vagrant and neo-tropical species; various owls & bats; several types of hawks and raptors. Area is popular for scenic touring in the winter, and heavily visited by Europeans in summer. Several hundred bird species have been recorded here, including Least Bell's Vireo, SW Willow flycatcher, California Yellow-billed Cockoo and several hawks. The wetlands is on the edge of a large dry plays, and adjacent to the community of Tecopa Hot Springs. Because of the lack of adjacent habitat few species are found here from higher in the food chain. The site is most common with smaller mammals, tiny fish and birds; like the Amargosa Vole, Amargosa Pocket Gopher, Speckled Dace and Snowy Egrets. Two insect species easily observed in the summer, and recommended you avoid, are the Horsefly (locally known as Tecopa Bombers) and Deer Flies. | ||
| Site Notes: | The wetlands can be directly accessed from Tecopa Hot Springs Rd. on the north side of Tecopa Hot Springs. Here the borehole hotspring supports several acres of wetlands popular with wading birds. The site may also be experienced from the dirt access road south of Tecopa Hot Springs, park next to and hike along the old Tonopah and Tidewater (T&T) railroad grade. Tecopa pupfish can be seen in the small natural spring at Tom's Spring, on the south side of Tecopa Hill. | ||
| Nearby Viewing Sites: | Amargosa Canyon | ||
| Visitor Information: | Death Valley Chamber of Commerce - (760) 852-4524 - www.deathvalleychamber.org | ||
| Viewing Site Hours of Operation are: | |||
| Staff On-site: | No | ||
| Open: | Everday | ||
| Hours: | Daylight | ||
| Year Round: | Yes | ||
| Road Information: |  Paved.  Gravel.  Dirt. | ||
| Road Hazards: No | |||
 Number of Parking Spaces: 100 | |||
| Parking Fee: Yes | |||
| Proximity to viewing area:Immediate | |||
 Pull-Through Parking: Yes | |||
| Parking Danger: Soft shoulders in places. | |||
| How to Get There: | Take Highway 127 north about 60 miles from Baker, or go South about 5 miles from Shoshone, and turn east on to Tecopa Hot Springs Road. The site is 2 miles east of Highway 127, adjacent to Tecopa Hot Springs. | ||
| Contact Information | |||
| Managing Agency: | Bureau of Land Management | ||
| Agency Site URL: | http://blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/barstow.html | ||
| Physical Address: | Tecopa Hot Springs Road Tecopa, CA 92389 |
Agency 2: | 2601 Barstow Road Barstow, CA 92311 |
| Manager Phone: | (760) 252-6000 | Contact Us: | by Email |
| Site Phone: | (760) 252-6000 | ||
| County: | Inyo | ||
| Addition Website: | |||