Eco UTV Tours
Offroad Ecological
Engagements
 

What is an Ecological Engagement?

Desert Stewards offers ecological engagements on a mix of public and private lands within the Desert Tortoise Linkage Reserve Management Unit.  As part of the engagement, we tread lightly on our journey, traveling 10-20 mph through established roads and approved trails stopping throughout the Plateau to observe key plant and tree species like Creosote, Smoke Tree, Palo Verde, Ironwood, Desert Lavender, Cholla Cactus, Ocotillo forests, Microphyll Woodlands, and view exposed minerals and geologic earth forces of the San Andreas Fault Tectonics.  Wildlife may or may not be present, based on the time of day and season.  Your guide will drive the vehicle with up to 5 people at once in your group.  Max 10 people at once with 2 six seater Yamaha Vikings.

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Where is Chiriaco Summit, CA?

Chiriaco Summit, is a microclimate of the Colorado Desert (part of the Sonoran Desert) about 1700 feet above sea level, 30 minutes east of Indio and the San Andreas Fault at the top of the Mecca Hills Conservation Area, north of the Orocopia Mountains Wilderness, and south of Joshua Tree National Park. The land with the reserve area is mixed public (BLM) and private lands.  Development has been discouraged and inhibited by the CVMSHCP in cooperation with the Coahella Valley Association of Governments and County of Riverside, CA.

Desert Tortoise Linkage Reserve Management Area

This protected area outlined in (Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan) is a mix or private and publix land, and prime habitat for the threatened Desert Tortoise, and threatened Big Horn Sheep, as well as the Chuckwalla lizard, including other wildlife and plant species outlined within the CVMSHCP.  This ecosystem hydrological area is called the Desert Tortoise Linkage Reserve Management Unit, because Interstate 10 and other utility roads are massive habitat linkage bisectors for all of the desert wildlife between Joshua Tree National Park, and the Wilderness lands of the Orocopia Mountains and Mecca Hills.  Desert Stewards provides safe and conscious observation and study of this area, to provide and maintain access for the Coachella Valley communities, scientists and tourists visiting the Valley.

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​Not a "rip it up" experience

Desert Stewards' Ecological Engagements are not a place to "rip it up" or go faster than 20 miles per hour.  You can find other organizations that offer these exhilarating benefits, at Glamis, and Ocotillo Wells riding areas.  We offer meaningful and environmentally sensitive desert ecosystem engagement with jaw dropping views with a feeling of fresh, safe outdoor wilderness trail riding engagement.  Please call if you have questions.  Reservations only, please call or book ahead.