Description

This is a neat little place where water flows in the desert and forms a little spot of green amid the vastness of this dry section of the Mojave Desert. At the spring, there is a cottonwood tree, lots of mesquite and desert willow, some cats claw acacia, rabbitbrush, and arrow weed, plus some saltcedar the Land Managers are trying to eradicate (feel free to pull up seedlings). The surrounding desert is dry creosote bush, bursage, and a few other hardy species.

NOTE: Under all but the best of road conditions, driving to Bitter Spring requires a high-clearance vehicle. Take water and food, and you should be prepared to walk out if you get stuck.

Location

Turn north onto Bitter Spring Road, which requires, at the least, a high-clearance vehicle. Drive north for 3.3 miles to the edge of Echo Wash and the intersection with Echo Wash Road (Site 657). Turn right onto Echo Wash Road and drive east for 0.3 miles to Bitter Spring (Site 658). Look for the trees in the wash; you can't miss it.

You can also get to Bitter Spring by continuing north on Northshore Drive to the unpaved Echo Wash Road (Site 660), which is just south of the turnoff to Echo Bay. Turn left onto Echo Wash Road and drive west up the wash. This road leads directly to the spring, but there is more soft gravel on this part of the road, I was glad to have a 4-wheel-drive vehicle.

Hours

Always open.

Fees

It costs $5 per vehicle to enter the Lake Mead area (annual passes accepted); after that, there are no extra fees for using the spring area.

Specialties

This is a good place to check the trees and shrubs for desert residents (e.g., Verdin, Black-throated Sparrow, House Finch, Phainopepla, and Gambel's Quail) and to look for migrants (e.g., warblers, American Pipit, and White-crowned Sparrows) during fall, winter, and spring.