Join the Eastern Sierra Broadband for the Amargosa Broadwalk, March 31 – April 4, 2025, as we explore the desert ecosystems and the species they support. It will take place at Shoshone, California, a pioneer in ecotourism, which is conveniently located in the Amargosa Basin between Death Valley and Las Vegas, Nevada, and a few hours north of Los Angeles.

Activities 

Day 1: We’ll explore the historic town of Shoshone including strolling through the pupfish ponds and vole habitats and hearing the story of how the pupfish were thought to be extinct and how they’ve been saved. We’ll also venture through riparian areas to do some birding, which could include sightings of phainopepla, thrashers, vireos, and maybe an owl or two. Other sights in Shoshone include the strange cave dwellings used by miners in Dublin Gulch, and the Museum. We’re also planning a short drive to the proposed Yellow Pine Solar project to scout for evidence of desert tortoises.  

Day 2: We’ll explore Ash Meadows National Wildlife Reserve, Nevada, which has the highest concentration of endemic species in the United States, including four endangered fish species and eight threatened or endangered plant species. Its diverse habitat includes dune fields, alkali seeps, and groves of mesquite and ash trees. Ash Meadows is a critical source of desert biodiversity and relies on the collaborative effort of individuals dedicated to its continued protection. It’s the largest remaining oasis in the Mojave Desert and an internationally recognized wetland and designated Ramsar site. We’ll stop by the visitor center, springs, and the Devils Hole compound with short walks at each.

Day 3: After a quick drive to China Ranch, Tecopa, we’ll take an intermediate hike (7-8 mile) to experience the Amargosa river, canyon and falls. After the hike we stop at the China Ranch Date Farm and have a date shake and lunch. As an alternative, we have planned geology/mine tour called Exploring the Amargosa from the Inside Out.

A service project is in the works and we’ll have afternoons available for  advocacy sessions to write letters or postcards to elected officials or take a dip in the naturally heated waters of the Shoshone pool. Tecopa also has a hot spring available for an additional cost. For the evening program in addition to the usual happy hour, silent auction, and informal regional speakers knowledgeable about the conservation efforts for the Amargosa Basin.

Camping 

We’ll be staying at the Shoshone Campground and have reserved the group sites. Also available are individual tent and RV sites, and the Shoshone Inn, if you prefer to stay at the hotel. The town includes a store and gas station, and a café and saloon. Food will be on your own so plan accordingly. The camp site has a barbeque and a “Library” that includes a microwave. We’ll have a pot luck one day and eat at the restaurant on another.

The weather in late March/early April is ideal for camping, with temperatures in the 70s-80s during the day and the high 40s/low 50s at night. 

Lodging is also available in the nearby town of Tecopa.

Donation: $100

The donation will go to Broads national. Camp fees are $35 a night per person, to be reimbursed to the event organizers.