Get Outdoors Nevada Newsletter

Ash Meadows and the New King’s Pool / Point of Rocks Boardwalk

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge has recently finished construction of an easily reached and invitingly beautiful boardwalk. This enticing esplanade now guides visitors through the restored habitat at King’s Pool and Point of Rocks. The refuge was established on June 18, 1984 to protect for future generations endangered and threatened species. The refuge is host to at least 26 endemic species of plant and animal life. Twelve of these species are threatened or endangered. They include the Amargosa pupfish, the Ash Meadows speckled dace, and the Ash Meadows naucorid. Also on the threatened and endangered list is the spring-loving centaury, a small five petal pink flower found in the outflows of springs that blooms in late June to late September. The task given to the Fish and Wildlife Service at Ash Meadows is to restore the wetlands to the condition they were prior to major human disturbance. This task also recreates habitat for migrating and indigenous wildlife. Thousands of man-hours have been devoted to this task creating tremendous opportunities for environmental education and research. With the crucial help of citizen volunteers, the Fish and Wildlife Service has completed a beautiful addition to Ash Meadows.

Restoration work near this locality has been going on for 13 years. The help of volunteers has played a significant role in the maintenance and success of the restoration. One of the many contributors was a group from Bozarth elementary. They completed a planting project near Point of Rocks last spring. Once the children and their guardians finished, they were amazed to find out that in only a few years their efforts would produce the outstanding results seen at King’s Pool. The boardwalk extends for a little over a quarter mile from the parking area. It winds past King’s Pool, under velvet ash trees, amongst yerba mansa and saltbush to the ancient bedrock mortars at Point of Rocks. Along the boardwalk can be seen many of the endangered species. Multiple metal bridges over springbrooks are designed and constructed by John Ivie and artfully depict endangered species present at those locations. Local bighorn sheep approach as close as 30 feet when they seek water from the springs or shade from the nearby mesquite. The boardwalk makes what once was a tricky trail into a less challenging and easily accessible footpath. Make the new boardwalk part of your day when you visit or participate in one of the upcoming volunteer events at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.