Established in 1939, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 665,400 acres of pristine desert. The Refuge provides essential habitat for Desert Bighorn Sheep, the California Fan Palm, and other wildlife and plants.
Desert Bighorn Sheep are found chiefly in the two mountain ranges that dominate the refuge landscape - the Kofa and Castle Dome Mountains. Although these mountains are not especially high, they are extremely rugged and rise sharply from the surrounding desert plains, providing excellent bighorn sheep habitat.
80% of Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, 516,300 acres, is federally designated wilderness. Wilderness is protected to ensure that nature, not people is the primary influence on this quiet, scenic place.
This is a trip from Hovatter Road to Sheep Tank Mine Road and the Sheep Tank Mine. There are several diggings, adits and cuts with extensive concrete foundations where ore processing machinery was used, including a 100 Ton Cyanide Mill. This mine was discovered in the early 1900's but was not developed until 1926. Sporadic production, from 1929 through 1942, amounted to some 17,400 tons of ore averaging about 1.2 oz. Au (Gold), 2.3 oz. Ag (Silver) and some copper; Total yield was 1,303 oz. Au (Gold), 12,525 oz. Ag (Silver) and a little copper.