Currant Mountain Wilderness

Located in the Humboldt National Forest in Nevada.

The 36,000-acre Currant Mountain Wilderness, established December 5, 1989, lies approximately 50 miles west of Ely in east-central Nevada, in White Pine and Nye Counties. The high peaks of the White Pine Range, reaching 11,513 feet elevation at their highest point at Currant Mountain, and adjacent foothills, run north-south for 15 miles. The area lies within the Basin and Range physiographic province and is bounded by Railroad Valley to the west and by White River Valley to the east. Access is provided primarily by U.S. Highway 50 from the north and U.S. Highway 6 from the east and south. The entire wilderness is bordered by National Forest lands within the White Pine Management Area.

The wilderness has unique qualities and several special attractions. The extremely rugged terrain and limited access provide optimum opportunity for solitude and wilderness experience. The terrain is such that it requires the efforts of the hardiest souls to challenge this wilderness. The area has few water sources, depending on the time of year. During summer, there may not be any water. The sheer upthrust of limestone from the basin to the 11,513-foot elevation of Currant Mountain is a challenge, especially if access is made from the east side. The limestone upthrust is one of the unique features. Another unique feature is that an indigenous herd of Desert bighorn sheep makes its home in the wilderness. This herd occupies the northernmost habitat niche of the Desert bighorn sheep.

The terrain is a result of water and volcanic-deposited sediments, later uplifted into fault-block mountain ranges. Soils have moderate erosion potential and serious erosion problems occur in several riparian areas.

This area lies within the intermountain sagebrush/ponderosa pine ecosystem. Pinyon pine and juniper dominate the lower slopes, and white fir, limber pine and bristlecone pine occupy the upper elevations.

Year-long dispersed recreation in the wilderness focuses on photography, camping, wildlife viewing, and primitive hiking. Adjacent to the wilderness there is a semi-developed recreation area provided at White River campground, as well as primitive campsites along Currant Creek. These sites are good staging areas for entry into the Wilderness. There are approximately 10.6 miles of trails in poor condition that receive light to no use within the wilderness.

The area contains important mule deer summer range, migratory routes and some winter range. Portions of the area are important to upland game species on an annual basis, particularly chukar and Hungarian partridge. The unit provides habitat for Nevada's northernmost population of Desert bighorn sheep. The wilderness provides critical summer, winter and lambing range for these sheep. The northeastern portion of the wilderness provides summer habitat to a small but growing herd of elk.

The southern one-third of the wilderness provides excellent habitat for existing raptor nesting as well as a high potential for Peregrine falcon reintroduction.

The central heart of the wilderness holds the promise of potential TERS plant species yet to be discovered, and a considerable number of Region 4 and Forest wildlife sensitive species.

While portions of the Monte Cristo Wild Horse and Burro Territory extend into the western edge of the wilderness, the larger portion of the territory outside of wilderness contains most of the horse use. However, there is considerable horse use that occurs within the wilderness boundary.

Although there are no live streams in this area, it is an important watershed for the communities of Preston, Lund and Currant. This also includes several ranches that depend on water for irrigation from the water produced and stored in the watershed.

For more information contact: The Humboldt National Forest