Ash Meadows NWR protects a cluster of clear warm springs that bubble up in the desert.  Amazingly, geologists have determined that what appears here is actually ancient snow melt off Mt. Charleston and the other Spring Mountains.  The water moves this 80 miles or so through porous underground layers of rock.  When the flow collides with less porous upturned mountains it is forced to the surface as springs creating crystal clear pools surrounded by lush oasis in the desert.  The largest spring on the refuge, Crystal Spring, flows 2800 gallons per minute.  Geology of this basin and range area is amazing. 

In these springs live tiny fish, pupfish.  The populations have been separated for thousands of years and are now unique genetic species, all of which are critically endangered as ground water levels drop with drought and pressures from human water consumption.  They are not exactly the charismatic megafauna like elk, bear and wolves that we flock to see at our national parks but still a marvel of nature’s evolutionary flexibility. 

Boardwalks let us get close to the springs.  We get a good look at pupfish at Point of Rocks and not bad at Crystal Springs.  Devils Hole Spring is actually an extension of Death Valley National Park and the most famous of the springs in the refuge but fences and protections are so restrictive that it is impossible to see the fish.  Birds are drawn to feed on the insects and seeds found in the oasis.  This is a great place for a stroll. 

A word of caution, refuge roads are nominally graded dirt/not gravel.  A number of them are closed today after a moderate rain and the poor Focus is pretty messy after today’s outing.