Mount Moriah Wilderness

Located in the Humboldt National Forest in Nevada.

The 82,000-acre Mt. Moriah Wilderness, established December 5, 1989, is located approximately 36 miles east of Ely, Nevada, in east-central Nevada, and is entirely within White Pine County. This unit is in the northern Snake Range, which extends along the eastern edge of Nevada in the Basin and Range, physiotographic province. The elongated north-south running range is bounded on the west by Spring Valley and on the east by Snake Valley.

This wilderness has unique qualities and several special attractions. The rugged terrain and lack of access provide many opportunities for solitude and wilderness experiences. Mt. Moriah, at an elevation of 12,050 feet and adjacent 1,000-acre plateau known as "The Table," are the center of the wilderness attractions. The Table is a unique high-elevation plateau covered with subalpine vegetation, and ancient bristlecone and limber pine stands occur along its edge. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and the Bonneville cutthroat trout are also special attractions in this area. The Great Basin National Park is approximately 6 air miles to the south or about 15 miles away by paved highway and graveled road.

This area lies within the Intermountain sagebrush/ponderosa pine ecosystem. Vegetation varies with the elevation. Pinyon pine and juniper dominate the lower slopes. Aspen, mountain mahogany, white and Douglas-fir, limber pine, and bristlecone pine are found in the upper elevations. Sage brushgrass types are located throughout the area.

All recreation use occurs as dispersed activities. Hunting is the major activity, followed by hiking, fishing, photography, camping, sight-seeing and wildlife viewing. There are no developed sites adjacent to the area. There are 50 miles of poor to fair condition trails.

Archaeological sites including caves utilized by Indians, pictographs, and lithic scatters occur in the area. In addition there are many caves of interest to spelunkers and scientists that have been located. The possibility exists for yet undiscovered caves to be located.

A variety of wildlife and fish species inhabit this area. Some are year-long residents while others occur only seasonally. The majority of the area is mule deer summer range although some of the lower elevation benches and riparian areas are used year-round. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep can be found throughout the year in this unit. Blue grouse, sage grouse, and chukar also occur. Riparian vegetation provides key habitat for these gamebirds and many other species. Rainbow trout, brook trout, and the unique Bonneville cutthroat trout occur in the area's perennial streams.

Mount Moriah Wilderness is the home of one known federally listed sensitive plant species, and is suspected of having other TERS plant species.

For more information contact: The Humboldt National Forest