Tungsten hills
Over a dozen volunteers showed up to work on the Valley Outdoors Tungsten Hills restoration project.
Volunteers spent Saturday morning mulching, planting, and raking to rehabilitate the land after off-road. car-pool to reduce environmental impact and because parking is limited in the area.
Thirteen volunteers showed up, from as close as Bishop and as far away as Encinitas. They were provided with swag, donuts and coffee to fuel their efforts.
Tungsten Hills is an iconic Eastern Sierra recreation location just south of Mono County. The area has grown in popularity over the years, and it’s favored by locals and visitors alike for its hiking, running, biking, dog walking and off-highway vehicle use opportunities. Tungsten Peak Trail is usually accessible year-round thanks to it’s relatively low elevation, cresting at 5,951 feet. The area is surrounded by geographical phenomena and scenic views of the Sierra Nevada.
According to the United States Geological Survey and the Bureau of Land Management, the potential consequences of off-trail vehicle use include soil degradation, water pollution, air pollution, and the loss of native plants and wildlife habit. But restoration approaches like the ones used in Tungsten Hills last weekend can reverse some of these negative effects.
The Tungsten Hills restoration project was the first Valley Outdoors field-work event of 2024. There will be at least one field project each month through October this year, each with the purpose of maintaining, protecting and enhancing public resources for the benefit of all users. Those who are interested in volunteering or learning more about Valley Outdoors can visit the website at Valleyoutdoors.org or follow the Valley Outdoors Facebook page.