Wheeler Pass Road - Summary Page

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Last Updated 10/06/2018

(Fig. 01)

Wheeler Pass Road: Wheeler Pass Road runs east-west and north-south approximately 23 miles (Fig. 02) as it crosses over and through the Spring Mountain National Recreation Area (SMNRA). It is accessible from two locations; the town of Cold Creek on the east side of SMNRA and the town of Pahrump on the western side. It is the only road that connects the two regions of what is known as the Wheeler Pass Herd Management Area (HMA), see (Fig. 03) below. Coming from the Pahrump side off of NV-160, WP-2 & WP-3 on (Fig. 02), the majority of this gravely dirt road is fairly well maintained and though a 4WD vehicle is recommended in places, it accessible with pretty much any type of high clearance vehicle. The view in (Fig. 01) is looking towards the distant ridge-line of the SMNRA from a point about 8 miles in from WP-3.  However, coming from the Cold Creek side, WP-1 on (Fig. 01) off of US-95 is another story. Once you reach the town of Cold Creek, the beginning of the road is well maintained, however, the last two to three miles up to Wheeler Pass sees a lot of land slides that leave many large rocks and boulders on the road, turning it into more of a trail than a road. Not only does this make driving extremely slow, it necessitates a high clearance 4WD vehicle for safe passage.

(Fig. 02)

(Fig. 03) Wheeler Pass Herd Management Area (HMA): The Wheeler Pass HMA is actually divided into two separate sections by the Spring Mountain National Recreation Area (SMNRA), the green area in the center of the map (Fig. 02). It covers 273,260 acres and has an estimated Wild Horse population of 81 individuals. Under the direction of the 1971 Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act, the BLM evaluates and monitors the Wheeler Pass Herd Management Area and determines how many wild horses and burros can live there along with a variety of wildlife and recreational users. Currently the Bureau of Land Management has determined that approximately 47-66 wild horses and 20-35 wild burros can live in this area. The Eastern Section is bounded to the North and East by US-95 and the 177,310 acre Johnnie HMA whose Wild Horse population is estimated at 35. The Western Section is bounded to the West and South by Highway 160  and the 152,251 acre Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (RRCNCA) HMA with it's estimated 31 Wild Horses and 191 Wild Burros. When the term “Wild Horses” is mentioned, most people envision running herds of wild mustang. However, most of the horses you will see in the HMA are feral horses, horses living in the wild, but descended from from domesticated individuals. They generally appear to be calm, docile, and even tame as they forage for food and water this wild and extreme desert environment. Most of these horses are colored as pintos, blacks, cremellos, palominos, bays, browns, and sorrels.  Visitors to these areas need to remember that it is illegal to feed, water, pet, or otherwise harass a wild horse or burro and that any individuals found doing so can be subject to a minimum fine of $500.00.

Because most people coming to this area need a 4WD to actually pass from one end to the other, I have divided descriptions of my hikes and drives along this road into two separate posts; Wheeler Pass from Pahrump, and Wheeler Pass from Cold Creek. Click on either of the links below for pictures and descriptions of trips along Wheeler Pass Road. Wheeler Pass Summit - 09/20/2018 Trip: My main purpose of this trip to Wheeler Summit was to "test drive" my new Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk and to provide a new experience for my three fellow passsengers, neither of whom any had been here before. Click the above link for pictures and a description of this day adventure.

Wheeler Pass via Pahrump: There are two different approaches from this end of Wheeler Pass Road, each providing drives through and along some of the areas many large washes. A drive along Clark Road leads to the old Younts Saw Mill, while a drive further up Wheeler Pass Road takes you past the Historic Charcoal Kilns.

Wheeler Pass via Cold Creek: Approaching Wheeler Pass Road from the town of Cold Creek will generally provide you with many more opportunities to view the wild horses of the area. There are also opportunities to see various ponds and natural springs that are in the area along with some remote camping sites if you are so inclined. Though the distance to the top of Wheeler Pass is much shorter than the approach from Pahrump, it is much steeper and rockier, definitely requiring a 4WD vehicle.

Side Trips Along Wheeler Pass Road - Pahrump Side: There are literally dozens of dirt side roads that branch off of Wheeler Pass Road, most of which require a high clearance 4x4 vehicle. If you drive in from Pahrump you pass through mid-elevation slopes, hillsides, and washes (3,500-4,000 feet) commonly referred to as typical Mojave Desert Scrub. These are mostly dominated by creosote bush, Joshua trees and a diverse mixture of other shrubs, cacti. If you venture onto some of the available side roads and trails, they generally lead you to higher ground (4,500-6,500 feet) through what is known as Pinion-Juniper Woodlands that are dominated by two species of conifers: Pinyon pine trees and juniper trees.

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Clicking the picture-link below will open OneDrive in a new window and a folder containing 16 pictures taken of trip to the Mojave National Preserve. To view the show, click on the first picture in the folder and you will get the following menu bar:

Clicking the "Play slide show" will play a fullscreen window of the slide show.

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Note: Every attempt is made to provide accurate information, but occasionally depictions are inaccurate by error of mapping, navigation or cataloging. The information on this site is provided without any warranty, express or implied, and is for informational and historical purposes only.