Description

Cold Creek in an interesting place to bird. It is located high on the northeastern flanks of the Spring Mountains at the interface of three habitat types: Mojave Desert Scrub, forest at the transition between the Yellow Pine and Pine-Fir zones, and an old burn area grown up in brush, with a little water thrown in. There are two main areas to bird: the edge of the forest at the end of the road, and three ponds just downhill (east) from Cold Creek town in the desert scrub. Watch for elk and wild horses while birding.

The road ends at the Bonanza Peak Trailhead, which is located by a spring at the edge of mixed forest of yellow pine and white fir, so there is a good mix of habitats and birds. From the end of the road, you can walk up the Bonanza Peak Trail into the woods, but the better birding is in the meadows around the parking area and around the spring. The burned area along the road is growing back in bushy thickets that are good for spotting birds and elk. The spring is about a 1-minute walk up the closed road that leaves from the northwest corner of the parking area (the Bonanza Peak Trail leaves from the southwest corner).

The ponds east of town are fed by springs that sometimes go dry. These ponds are located in high-elevation Mojave Desert scrub habitat, so they provide water and the only willow and mesquite "trees" around. There are three ponds, two small ponds with shrubs and trees (photos) near the paved road, and a third larger pond without shrubs down a dirt road past the first two ponds.

Location

Cold Creek is located northwest of Las Vegas, high on the northeastern flanks of the Spring Mountains. From downtown Las Vegas, drive north on Highway 95 (past the two turnoffs to Mt. Charleston) to the State Correctional Center (about 5 miles north of Highway 156). Turn left at the prison (Table 1, Site 341) and drive west and up the hill for about 15 miles to the town of Cold Creek (Site 671). There are two main places to bird here: the ponds just before town, and a spring in the woods beyond town at the Bonanza Peak Trailhead.

Hours

Always open

Fees

None.

Specialties

The ponds below town are good for desert species (e.g., various sparrows and House Finches) and migrants (e.g., shorebirds and warblers). The end of the road is a good place to find woodpeckers (including Lewis' Woodpeckers), chickadees, nuthatches, warblers, towhees, Cassin's Finch, and jays. Be sure to watch for elk and wild horses around town and along the road.