Coyote Mountain

This area is part of an extensive highland area with a gently rolling aspect, just outside the borders of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and just south of Carrizo Impact Area Naval Reservation. Its relative inaccessibility has kept it in a pristine state.

The vegetation is an excellent example of lower Sonoran creosote bush scrub. Among the plants found here in this community are Prosopis velutina, Atriplex polycarpa, Atriplex hymenelytra, Opuntia echinocarpa, Opuntia basilaris, Larrea tridentata, Acacia greggii, Eriogonum pusillum, Eriogonum reniforme, Agave deserti, Eschscholzia glyptosperma, as well as numerous others.

At least 26 species of mammals, including the desert bighorn, Ovis canadensis nelsoni, are found here, as are over 50 species of birds and 20 species of reptiles. Among the latter are the rosy boa, Lichanura trivirgata roseofusca, glossy snake, Arizona elegans, night snake, Hypsiglena torquata, and the sidewinder, Crotalus cerastes.

Geologically the area includes rocks ranging from Pre-Cambrian metamorphic to Pleistocene marine and non-marine sedimentaries. There are fossils in the area, particularly in the Pliocene sedimentaries.

Integrity: Virtually pristine

Use: Educational, research, observational.

Ref: Christensen, A. D. 1957. Portions of the Geology of the Coyote Mountain Area, Imperial County. U.C.L.A. M.A. Thesis, unpub.

December 1975