Overview

Gass Spring is a small water hole on the northeast flanks of Gass Peak. This tiny spot of water in the vast desert supports a few shrubs, a bit of grass, and lots of wildlife. This is a good place to find desert birds, bighorn sheep, and even bats as they come to drink. While visiting the spring, don't crowd the wildlife.

Link to map.

For general information on camping, regulations, other issues, and the natural history of the Wildlife Refuge, see the Desert National Wildlife Range -- Area Overview page.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this is a pretty safe hike. Depending on road conditions, the trailhead might be accessible with a 2WD high-clearance vehicle, but inquire locally or use a 4WD vehicle just to be sure.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, even though this hike is fairly short, it is remote, so be sure, at least, to have the 10 Essentials in your vehicle.

This is a wildlife refuge, so pay extra attention to respecting the land. Please, don't bother the bighorn sheep. They have a hard enough time making a living in these desert lands; they don't need extra stress from people hanging around the spring.

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike is located on the Desert National Wildlife Range, about 2.5 hours north of town.

From town, drive out to the Desert National Wildlife Range. From Corn Creek Field Station (Table 1, Site 106), continue east to a T-intersection a few yards beyond the parking area (Site 731). Turn right onto Mormon Well Road, driving south and then east up the bajada for 4.35 miles to Gass Peak Road (Site 884). Gass Peak Road cuts off to the south (right) just before Mormon Well Road gets to the mountains. Turn right onto Gass Peak Road and follow it south and then east for 8.1 miles to Gass Spring Road (Site 885). Watch for a "Service Road Only" sign on the south (right) side of the road. Park here; this is the trailhead.

In places, the road runs in the wash between Fossil Ridge and Gass Peak. There are several patches of soft gravel, but generally it is a good, graded road; don't stop in the soft parts. When passing Corn Creek Field Station, be sure to stop and sign the visitor register. Use a false name if you worry about the government tracking your movements, but they need all the visitor-use statistics they can get to argue for more funding.

The Hike

From the trailhead (Table 2, Waypoint 1), the route runs southwest on the service road heading towards Gass Peak. At a fork in the road (Wpt. 2), the route runs to the right and continues southwest.

The road winds around and turns more to the south, and shortly Gass Spring (Wpt. 09) comes into view below the road. On the approach, be sure to watch for wildlife that saw and started moving away you before you saw them.