Re: Steam Wells Road

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Posted by Lee on July 16, 2004 at 12:35:02:

In Reply to: Steam Wells Road posted by wingman1 on July 16, 2004 at 11:35:24:

Please check the map in the link below. I was at the spot where the cursor is a couple of years ago. Steam Well Road itself has been completely closed due to wilderness, and there are massive rock piles barring all vehicular access. Anyone wanting to access the wilderness must either park in a tiny parking area by the big sign or leave their vehicle in the middle of the road that runs along the southern boundary of the wilderness. All spur roads have been closed and barricaded. There are also wilderness signs, closed route markers, and wilderness markers everywhere. It's a true "wilderness" experience. This is a great example of an improper wilderness designation, as the road that was closed even has a name!

There wasn't much left at the site, but you could tell that something had been there at one time. The well itself was barely moist and had a stagnant smell. There was no sign of any trailers or structures. I am not sure that I was in the place you were in during the early 80's, but it sure sounds like it. Sounds like the BLM rewrote history once again.

I don't think all the red markers are supposed to be there anymore. The signing of the West Mojave Plan was supposed to have lifted all the "emergency" closures (as if two massive wilderness areas in the vicinity wasn't enough)brought on by the CBD lawsuit. Some of the roads marked as closed are supposed to be reopened per the new route network. I imagine time will restore access to these roads.

Lee




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