VISITING AVI KWA AME WITH RESPECT
by ALAN O’NEILL
Illustration by Amelia Jackson, Cecilia Collier, Erin Torres, Maliya Russell, Nathan Richard, RJ Jackson, Stephen Lopez, and Zach McCord.
Illustration by Dennis Campos, Noah Richard, Nathan Richard, and Vinnie Castillo.
The Avi Kwa Ame landscape is sacred to at least a dozen indigenous communities who have held spiritual and cultural reverence over these lands since time immemorial. To the tribal communities with affiliation to the area, everything in this landscape has life, whether it is the mountains, rocks, water, plants, animals or soil -- and, as such, is sacred. Everything in this land is connected and valued. As new visitors embrace Avi Kwa Ame National Monument, we need to value all the traditions that predate us, as well as the current rules and guidelines. And, as more people will now enjoy recreating on this landscape, we must act to minimize our impact upon it, and help sustain its health for future generations.
The rich human history revealed by Avi Kwa Ame coexists with the area’s scientifically significant biological diversity, rare plants and animals, expansive views, natural quiet and dark night sky. Avi Kwa Ame National Monument can be enjoyed through many activities: as a place for hiking, camping, birdwatching, motorized touring, stargazing, hunting, climbing, and pursuing amateur geology. Here are some tips for visiting Avi Kwa Ame that are founded on the Leave No Trace principle.
DRIVE LIKE A TORTOISE.
Travel slowly on backcountry roads to avoid running over or stressing the animals. Cars are a top killer of the slow-moving, endangered desert tortoise. We are all visitors in someone else’s home when we’re out on the desert; be aware that many animals live above, on, and under thesands. Loud vehicle noises can cause so much stress to some animals that they will move their homes away or refuse to care for their young.
DON’T BLAZE A TRAIL.
There are over 500 miles of designated backcountry roads within the monument that provide access to the diversity of the landscape. All wheeled travel is required to be on designated routes only. Absolutely, don’t drive off the road or create a new trail. Designated routes are clearly posted by Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service signage. Motorized travel of all kinds (including motorcycles and electric bikes) is prohibited on single track trails. If the route is wide enough to fit a car and is designated, you can drive on it.
DON’T CRACK THE CRUST.
Much of Avi Kwa Ame’s lands have a biological (cryptobiotic) soil crust. This “biocrust” is the lifeline of the desert because it plays a vital role in soil stability, moisture, and nutrient cycles. Without it, nothing can grow and plant and animal life that rely on the biological crust would not survive. When damaged, the colony of organisms could take several hundred to 5,000+ years to recolonize and reform, so don’t leave the road when driving, and stick to trails while hiking.
LEAVE IT THERE.
Avi Kwa Ame is home to numerous significant prehistoric and historic resources. It is illegal to remove or damage archeological materials, and disrespectful to the tribes who have direct ties to these sites. These sites include historic structures, rock art, and stone flakes left over from primitive tool fabrication. Leave artifacts where they are so that others can see the story of the past. Removing or vandalizing artifacts limits their scientific value and the experience of future visitors. Even touching petroglyphs or pictographs can cause damage. Just look, observe, imagine. Be still and listen. Let the rocks speak.
DON’T ADD YOUR MARK.
Do not draw, paint, carve, tag, decorate, or leave your mark on any rock, tree, structure, or surface within the monument. Defacing petroglyphs or other sites is illegal, expensive to clean up (when it can be repaired) and requires many volunteer hours of work to address. Stacking or arranging rocks can harm the biocrust, is disrespectful to tribal communities who consider this area a sacred landscape, and detracts from the next visitor’s experience.
DON’T DECORATE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
In the past, some families have enjoyed decorating the juniper trees along the road near the top of Spirit Mountain (Avi Kwa Ame). These days, we know that this practice is culturally disrespectful to people in the many tribal communities that consider this mountain one of their holiest of places. We also know that tinsel, ornaments, and garland have been found in the remains of deceased animals and birds, who have died after mistaking the bright colors and shiny surfaces for food and moisture, so there is double reason to leave these trees bare.
PACK IT OUT.
Carry plastic bags and pack out all your trash, including toilet paper and hygiene products. Utilize toilet facilities whenever possible. Otherwise, pack it all out, including human waste. Dumping trash, furniture, tires, or anything onto federally protected lands is illegal and carries a heavy fine.
BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS.
Symbolic rituals and practices are important components in this sacred landscape as they reflect local people’s religious world views and cultural identity. Indigenous peoples use this landscape for important cultural, social, and ceremonial purposes. Please do not disturb others who are participating in these activities or quietly visiting this place. Avoid loud voices and disturbing noises to let nature’s sounds prevail so others can enjoy.
RESPECT PRIVATE LANDS. There are some private lands and residences within the monument. It is essential to respect private property, road signs, and no trespassing signs. Some old buildings and mines are privately owned, and structures that look abandoned may actually be maintained as historic sites by the families. Cameras and security systems are common on private property and can be used to prosecute trespassers. These private landowners are key partners, working with the managing agencies in the stewardship and care of the monument.
KEEP PETS SAFE AND RESPECTFUL.
Control your pets at all times or leave them at home. Keep dogs on the leash whenever possible for their safety and to minimize stress on nearby wildlife, and observe leash rules where required (like Grapevine Canyon). Keep them away from animal burrows and rock crevices and pack out your pet’s waste (dogs are predators and their waste is stressful to smaller animals and unpleasant for visitors).
RESPECT THE LOCAL WILDLIFE.
Observe wildlife from a distance (binoculars are a good item to pack). Do not follow or approach animals, and never feed them. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors (habituates them to humans, which can be dangerous to humans and the animal), and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Fed wildlife is dead wildlife.
HUNT ONLY IN LEGAL AREAS. Hunting is legal in most areas of the monument with a Nevada hunting licence and in accordance with Nevada Department of Wildlife regulations. The exception to this is the Grapevine Canyon area which is closed to hunting. There is a Clark County ordinance that bans shooting within half a mile of a highway or within 500 feet of a public or private road or designated campground, picnic areas, or improved trail. The harvesting of wildlife is carefully regulated by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service working with the Nevada Department of Wildlife to ensure equilibrium between wildlife and their habitats. Those hunting on monument lands must be safe and also pick up their spent ammunition and any trash.
WHERE AND HOW TO CAMP: There are no developed campgrounds in Avi Kwa Ame National Monument, but primitive camping is legal in most places and is limited to a maximum of 14 consecutive days per stay. Do not make camp in a dry wash -- flash floods develop quickly in the desert. Campsites must be more than 200 yards from any water source, which are mostly the natural springs. Concentrate use on existing campsites where vegetation is absent and keep campsites small. In pristine areas, disperse use to prevent the creation of new campsites and trails and avoid places where impacts are just beginning. Camping is not allowed on the east side of Spirit Mountain along the Christmas Tree Pass Trail but is allowed on the west side.
KEEP FIRES SAFE. Small fires are permitted in the backcountry areas unless seasonal fire restrictions are in place. Use fires only when necessary to keep warm; otherwise enjoy the dark night sky without the added light pollution of firelight. When a small fire is needed, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires, and check wind conditions before you light. Only use dead wood from the ground that can be broken by hand. Do not throw trash, cans, or glass in the fire. To help prevent wildfires, never leave your campfire unattended. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes. Make sure it is completely out before you leave. Wildfires are a serious problem in the Mojave Desert, so be vigilant. Always check the monument’s official webpages before your visit, to see if a campfire ban is in effect.
KEEP YOUR SITE CLEAN. Dispersed camping in a motorhome is allowed on officially designated backcountry roads, but dumping black or gray water isn’t allowed. Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite, food preparation areas, and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pull off in already established pull-outs – do not create new pullouts.
KEEP SKIES DARK. The monument’s night skies are some of the darkest in the Lower 48. Before you deck out your camp with string lights or overpowering camp lights, remember you may be blowing out a fellow camper’s night vision, and otherwise prime stargazing conditions. Help protect this disappearing, natural and culturally important resource by lighting your camp mindfully.
BONUS POINTS: The truest form of respect is to leave a place better than you found it, so consider carrying an extra bag to pick up trash on your excursions, and be sure to report anything you see that is potentially causing harm, including graffiti, dumpsites, permanent encampments, and other illegal activities. Your mindfulness while visiting and acts of appreciation will help keep Avi Kwa Ame clean, pristine and respected for everyone who visits in years to come.
The monument is managed by both the National Park Service (NPS) & the Bureau of Land Management (BLM); rules may vary between jurisdictional boundaries. If you have a question or concern, you can report it by calling:
BLM’s non-emergency number 702-515-5300
BLM/NPS emergency number 702-293-8932
Alan O’Neill is an avid nature lover, conservation advocate, and public lands expert. He is a founding member of Friends of Avi Kwa Ame National Monument and the former superintendent of Lake Mead National Recreation Area.