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Pioneertown Mountains Preserve is a nature preserve owned and managed by The Wildlands Conservancy, a nonprofit land conservancy. Consisting of 25,500 acres (103 km2) of land in San Bernardino County, California, the preserve features geologically interesting mountain ranges and riparian zones. It is located in the Mojave Desert in the eastern San Bernardino Mountains. More preserves can be found in the list of preserves.
| Pioneertown Mountains Preserve | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
  Location of Pioneertown Mountains Preserve | |
| Location | San Bernardino County, California |
| Nearest city | Pioneertown, California |
| Coordinates | 34°10′20″N 116°32′46″W |
| Area | 25,500 acres (103 km2) |
| Max. elevation | 6,450 feet (1,970 m) |
| Min. elevation | 3,600 feet (1,100 m) |
| Created | 1995 |
| Operator | The Wildlands Conservancy |
| Website | Pioneertown Mountains Preserve |
The preserve has hiking trails, a picnic area, and a restroom. The Indian Loop Trail passes through a wetland from a perennial stream and climbs to a ridge with views of rocky peaks. It passes by the Olsen Cabin ruins. A spur trail ascends Chaparrosa Peak, which provides views in all directions. The peak is on the Hundred Peaks Section list.[1] Sawtooth Loop encircles the Sawtooth Mountains, which have massive jumbles of boulders.[2]
The preserve is notable for its rock formations, desert-riparian corridor, and diverse ecology. Pipes Canyon and Little Morongo Canyon are year-round riparian corridors.
Scrub oak is growing in place of the vegetation burned in 2006.
In the 1930s, a stone cabin was built in Pipes Canyon by a miner. Ruins of this cabin remain.
In 1995, The Wildlands Conservancy acquired the property and opened the preserve to the public, making it the first Wildlands Conservancy preserve.
In 2006, the Sawtooth Complex Fire severely burned most vegetation in the preserve. The area has begun recovering.[3]
In 2017, a severe flash flood caused extensive damage in Pipes Canyon. The upper part of Pipes Canyon Trail, beyond the Olsen Ruins, was destroyed and has not been reopened. Debris flows covered the road into the preserve 3-5 feet deep.[4][5]
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