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El Mirage
Elevation: 2,840 ft
El Mirage Dry Lake:
Location and Geography
El Mirage Dry Lake is a dry lake bed located in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. It is situated in the Antelope Valley, which lies between the San Gabriel Mountains to the south and the Mojave Desert to the north. The lake bed is a remnant of an ancient lake that has since evaporated, leaving behind a flat, hard surface.Geological Features
Lithology and Stratigraphy:
The area consists primarily of Quaternary alluvium deposits, with lacustrine and eolian sand deposits common. The surrounding geology includes Mesozoic plutonic rocks and Tertiary volcanic rocks. Geomorphology: The lake bed is characterized by its flat, hard-packed surface, making it ideal for various activities. The surrounding area includes gently sloping alluvial fans and pediments.Climate
El Mirage Dry Lake experiences an arid desert climate, typical of the Mojave Desert:Mean Annual Precipitation:
Approximately 4 to 6 inches, mostly in the form of rain.Mean Annual Temperature:
Ranges from 55°F to 70°F.Freeze-Free Period:
Typically 200 to 300 days per year.Vegetation
The vegetation around El Mirage Dry Lake is sparse, consisting mainly of desert shrubs and grasses:Predominant Species:
Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), and various saltbush species (Atriplex spp.).Riparian Areas:
In areas where water may collect temporarily, greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) and saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) can be found.Surface Water
El Mirage Dry Lake is a closed basin with no outlet, meaning that any water that collects in the lake bed either evaporates or seeps into the ground. The lake bed is typically dry, with temporary ponding occurring only after significant rainfall.Human Use and Activities
El Mirage Dry Lake is a popular destination for various recreational activities due to its unique flat, hard surface:Land Speed Racing:
The lake bed's flat surface is ideal for land speed racing, attracting enthusiasts from around the world.Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation:
The area is open to off-road vehicles, including motorcycles, ATVs, and dune buggies.Filming Location:
Due to its otherworldly landscape, El Mirage Dry Lake is frequently used as a filming location for movies, commercials, and music videos.Aerospace Testing:
The lake bed has been used for testing aircraft and spacecraft due to its vast, open space and hard surface.Conservation and Management
El Mirage Dry Lake is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which oversees its use and conservation:Regulations:
Specific regulations are in place to protect the environment and ensure the safety of visitors, including speed limits and designated camping areas.Conservation Efforts:
Efforts are made to preserve the natural landscape and minimize the impact of recreational activities on the local ecosystem.Ecological Importance
Despite its arid conditions, El Mirage Dry Lake plays a role in the local ecosystem:Habitat:
Provides habitat for various desert-adapted plants and animals.Migration Stopover:
Acts as a temporary stopover for migratory birds during wet periods.El Mirage Dry Lake is a unique and important part of the Mojave Desert, offering both recreational opportunities and ecological value. Its management by the BLM helps balance human use with the conservation of this distinctive desert landscape.
The areas of interest include El Mirage Dry Lakebed, the Shadow Mountains, El Mirage Basin, and the Twin Hills area. This makes up a 24,000 acre of public and private land. Elevations range from about 2,800 feet at the El Mirage Dry Lake to more that 3,800 feet in the Shadow Mountains.
Sections
El Mirage Lakebed
The lakebed is a flat playa formed in an undrained basin. Silt and clay are deposited into this basin during periods of heavy rain. When the "lake" dries, a hard pan dry lakebed is left.
This hard, smooth surface is ideal for the unique activities conducted at El Mirage. These include ultra-light aircraft and gyrocopter flying, model rocketry, remote control airplane flying, landsailing and straight track racing. Many private pilots land on the lakebed to spend the day. The surface character has attracted the interest of many filming companies. Several major movies have scenes filmed here.
There is no speed limit on the open lakebed, but vehicle operators are responsible for their own safety, OHV rules and regulations, and knowing what is going on around them. The maximum speed limit is 15 miles per hour within 50 feet of camps and staging areas.
During permitted events, special speed limits and traffic restrictions are posted. Please watch for these events. To maintain a smooth surface, the lakebed is closed when wet or muddy. The California Highway Patrol, San Bernardino County Sheriff, and BLM Rangers patrol the area to encourage safe use by visitors.
Camping is permitted on the lakebed, but no more than 100 feet from the edge. This keeps the smooth center section of the lakebed clear for night riders.
The Basin
The basin between the lakebed and the Shadow Mountains is covered with creosote bush and crossed by deep dry washes. Most Off-Highway vehicle use occurs here.
Along with casual recreational riding, many OHV and motorcycle clubs stage "runs", and competitive races. Riding is mostly over easy terrain, but visibility can be obscured by six to ten foot tall creosote bushes. Many flat and secluded areas for camping are in this area.
Shadow Mountains
The Shadow Mountains are a group of eroded igneous peaks bordering the northern edge of the riding area. These mountains run through the center section and east of the main access, Mountain View Road.
The Shadow Mountain peaks offer moderate to hard riding terrain, and are a challenge for experienced riders. Canyons within these mountains make excellent camping areas and offer seclusion for four-wheel drive campers. Watch for open mine shafts in these areas.
Twin Hills
The Twin Hills area is on the east side of the riding area between the Little Shadow Mountain group and US Highway 395. This flat basin is punctuated by small mound-like hills and gets light riding activity. There are camping possibilities here, but motor home campers might find driving in this area difficult.
