Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2021/2022

I n 2020, the Domestic Names Committee of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names voted unanimously to approve the pro- posal to name a peak after the Devils Hole pupfish and Ash Meadows Amargosa pup- fish. At 4,355 feet in elevation, the previously un-named Pupfish Peak is a high point in an area known as Devils Hole Hills on land managed by the Bureau of Land Manage- ment. One reason cited in support for the name proposal was that it will serve to remind peo- ple to be stewards of important landscapes and treasures within Nevada. The peak is ap- proximately seven miles southeast of Devils Hole. The Devils Hole pupfish live in a water- filled cavern in a detached unit of Death Val- ley National Park, located within Ash Mead- ows National Wildlife Refuge. This inch-long shimmery blue fish is one of the world’s rarest fishes and is only found in this loca- tion. With their habitat in a cavern along a hillside, the species does not have the ability to migrate to other aquatic habitats and may have difficulties adapting to a rapidly chang- ing climate. The Devils Hole pupfish were added to the endangered species list in 1967. Conservation efforts in the 1970’s addressed the decline in water level within Devils Hole, resulting from increased water use to support develop- ment and agriculture in the area. This water drop threatened to expose a critical spawn- ing and feeding shelf within the cavern. In 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a Presidential Proclamation issued to establish Devils Hole as a National Monument re- served water rights necessary to the purposes of the monument, including preservation of the pool and its fish. Even though the water source for the Dev- ils Hole pupfish has been secured, seasonal population studies of the pupfish have pro- duced low numbers in past years. Scientists counted 170 pupfish in September 2019. This autumn count is still well below historical levels. From 1972 to the mid 1990s autumn counts ranged between 300 to 550. The Dev- ils Hole pupfish remain on the endangered species list today. While climbers won’t see any pupfish on the top of Pupfish Peak, they can overlook their habitat, marvel over the tenacity of fish in the Amargosa Valley, and remember the large effort to preserve its precious habitats. 20 2021-2022 Scenic 395 Beatty and Death Valley PHOTO COURTESY BLM Newly named Pupfish Peak is a high point in an area known as Devils Hole Hills on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Pupfish Peak: A new name for an old peak near Death Valley S targazing under some of the darkest night skies in the country can be an un- forgettable experience — Espe- cially Death Valley. The simple reason: darkness. With so few lights polluting the Death Valley night skies, stars are more visible there, harkening back to days when neither city lights or smog obscured the view. Death Valley National park encourages people to look up during their visit and experience the wonder of its dark skies. The dark skies can be attrib- uted as well to Death Valley’s ap- proach to lighting. Low energy, downward pointing lights at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells, and other measures have helped people enjoy the stars. Some of the best sites to view the stars include: — Harmony Borax Wells — Mesquite Sand Dunes — Danders View — Father Crowley Vista Point. Seeing the stars at Death Val- ley can be an incredible part of your visit! Here are a few sug- gestions for the best possible ex- perience: • Visit during the new moon! This is when the moon isn’t re- flecting any light into the night sky and it is darkest. • Stay out long enough! It takes about 30 minutes without looking at light for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. • Use a red light. Cover flash- lights with red cellophane if pos- sible. Red light has the least im- pact on adjusting your eyes. • Seek a large horizon. If you are too close to large hills or mountains, they may block large areas of stars from view. • Bring binoculars! Although not a telescope, even these can help bring a greater number of stars into focus. • Location! Most every area of the park can be good for view- ing, as long as you get a short ways from areas with light. Even getting a mile away from build- ings or campgrounds can be a big help! Seeing stars in Death Valley