Sacatar Trail Wilderness

Sacatar Trail Wilderness is a protected area in the southern Sierra Nevada spanning roughly 51,900 acres with valleys, canyons, and granite peaks rising to about 7,800 feet. The landscape transitions from desert floor to forested canyon bottoms and steep ridges across multiple elevation zones.

Before roads were built through the region, the Sacatar Trail was the main route for cattle herds, soldiers, and traders moving into Owens Valley from the west. The construction of Walker Pass Road eventually redirected traffic, but the trail remains a mark of historic travel through the mountains.

Indigenous communities traditionally used the water sources and canyons as corridors through the mountains, a practice that shaped how people moved across the region. The springs and vegetation provided shelter and sustenance for travelers passing through the high desert landscape.

To reach the wilderness, head west on Nine Mile Canyon Road from Highway 395, located about 15 miles north of Indian Wells. Visitors should prepare for steep terrain and bring plenty of water, as conditions are exposed and desert conditions can change quickly.

Five steep canyons on the eastern side contain year-round springs that create rare growing conditions for Phacelia novermillensis, a toxic plant found only in this part of California. These specific water-fed alcoves attract botanical interest despite the plant being hazardous to human contact.