Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
Black Tailed Jackrabbit ( Lepus californicus )
The Black Tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) commonly known as the American Desert Hare makes its home in the western half of the United States including California, Nevada, Arizona and parts of Mexico. One of the largest species of hare, the animal boasts large distinctive ears, powerful rear legs, black tips on its ears and a black tail for which the animal gets its name.
This species of hare commonly reaches sizes of 18 to 24 inches long and may weigh between 4 and 8 pounds. Typically, the females are slightly larger compared to the males. The animal will mate ear round depending upon environment and the young are born with a full compliment of fir and open eyes, which classifies it as a true hare and not a rabbit, despite its common name. The female does not build elaborate nests for birth. A new born hare is and well camouflaged and quite mobile within minutes of birth. The juveniles will stay near the mother for nursing, but are not protected by the mother.
Commonly found in desert scrub, prairies and meadows at elevations up to 10,000 feet, the Black Tailed Jackrabbit is quite adaptive to various environments. Camouflage is their only defense, and they will freeze when a threat is near. Their diet consists of a variety of green vegetation and grasses, however they are known to consume dried or woody plants in the harsh winter months. The hare does not hibernate during the winter months.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, species assessors and the authors of the spatial data.
The Black Tailed Jackrabbit is a valuable member of the ecosystem. It serves as a prey item of other carnivorous animals including coyotes, foxes, eagles, hawks, owls and various Native American tribes.
Classification
Las Vegas Bay Campground
Las Vegas Bay Campground is one of several campgrounds in Lake Mead National Recreation Area and its situation on top of a bluff offers great views of Lake Mead and the Lava Butte Wash wildlife refuge
The first come, first serve campground offers 84 sites with plenty of sites for RV, trailer and tent camping. No Hook ups. The campground is secluded enough to enjoy a peaceful campout under the stars. There is no lake access, however the nearby Las Vegas Wash offers trails for hiking and picnic areas.
This campground is at low elevation in the Mojave Desert, which means possible freezing temperatures in the winter months and hot, Hot, HOT in the summer months. The spring and fall should offer the best weather, but regardless of time of year, plan ahead. Due to record low water levels, access to Lake Mead is several miles from the campground.
Campground Summary
| Name | Las Vegas Bay Campground |
| Location | Lake Mead, Clark County, Nevada |
| Latitude,Longitude | 36.127401, -114.868940 |
| Elevation | 1,277 Feet |
| Number of Sites | 84 |
| Amenities | BBQ Grills, Campground Host, Tables, Water, Dump Station, Fire Pit, Fire Rings, Firewood Available, Grills, Pets OK, Restrooms (Flush Toilets) |
Las Vegas Bay Map
Resources
Callville Bay Campground
Named for the now submerged two of Callville, Callville Bay Campground offers a unique and amazing place to strike your camp. The campground is situated from Las Vegas along the northern edge of the Boulder Basin of Lake Mead. It’s open year-round and features paved sites that can accommodate tents or RVs, along with tables, fire pits and/or grills. Restrooms and water spigots are located throughout the campsite.
The desert climate affords temperatures well over 100F (37C) degrees June-August. In May and September, daytime highs are around 90F (32C). October-April, temperatures are much cooler. The winter months can see the lows can dip to freezing temps. The desert area averages just four inches of rain each year. There is lush vegetation that provides shade. A few of the campsites provide views of the lake.
Although Lake Mead water levels are low at the moment, the campground offers close proximity to boat ramps and boat and house boat rentals to allow further exploration of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Campground Summary
| Name | Callville Bay Campground |
| Location | Lake Mead, Clark County, Nevada |
| Longitude,Latitude | 36.138337,-114.727649 |
| Elevation | 1,249 feet |
| Number of Sites | 80 Total, 52 R V sites |
| Ammenities | BBQ Grills, Boat Launch/Ramp, Boat Rental, Campground Host, Tables, Drinking Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookup, Fire Pit, Firewood Available, Grills, Ice, Marina, Pay Phone,Pets OK, Picnic Tables, Restrooms (Flush Toilets), RV Hookups, WiFi |
Campground Map
Resources
Mojave-aster ( Xylorhiza tortifolia )
A member of the sunflower family, the Mojave-aster ( Xylorhiza tortifolia ) boasts a delicate lavender flower in the harsh desert environment. Also known as the Mojave Woodyaster, the plant commonly reaches about 30 inches in height. The green-grey colored stems hold a solitary flower which is about two inches in diameter. The plant gathers sun with three inch long silver-green leaves and an individual plant may offer dozens to purple hued flowers.
The Mojave Aster typically blooms between March and May, and again in October when the monsoon season allows. It in commonly found between 2000 and 3500 feet in elevation, however in California it is know to thrive between 700 and 6500 feet. The flowers of this plant are attractive to bees, butterflies and birds.
The aster is known to grown in the Great Basin and Sonora deserts and thrives in the Mojave. Like many other desert adapted plants, this plant thrives in sandy dry, well drained soil and common on desert slopes and washes.
The Havasupai people used this plant and its flowers as a fragrence to mask body odors and as an incense. Dried leaves where commonly carried in clothes by the tribal members.
Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos)
Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos), also known as the “horny toad”, is a common North American reptile and found throughout the southwest and the Mojave. A personal childhood favorite of mine, the horned lizard does have the appearance of a small dinosaur and it a master of camouflage.
This is a small to medium sized lizard, its 3 – 5 inch broad and flat body features a prominent series of fringed scales. Its head also boasts several horn which offers the lizard its name. Undoubtedly, the overall body shape is that of a toad is also a contributing factor. The coloration of the body will vary to help the lizard blend into its background.
The reptile’s diet is small insects and is commonly found at or near ant mounds where they will lie in wait for its meal to simply walk by. Generally speaking this animal is found at elevations below 6500 feet in creosote-bursage flats and Mojave Desert Scrub.
Defensively, the little lizard is all about appearances. Primarily, camoflauge allows it to remain hidden in plain sight. The reptile is known to hiss and puff up its chest when confronted in an effort to appear larger and more dangerous that it really is known to be. Some species of the genus are known to squirt blood from its eyes and may reach a distance of 5 feet.