Stretching south from the White-Inyo Mountains to the Mexican border and 275 miles east to west at its greatest width, the California desert is nearly the size of the state of Virginia. Within these 25 million acres are three of North America's major desert subregions as well as the largest national park in the Lower 48 states. Since the passage of the California Desert Protection Act, interest in the California desert is at an all-time high, swelling the number of visitors to more than 9 million each year.

Newly revised and updated, Adventuring in the California Desert offers detailed guidelines for enjoying the desert to the fullest without harming its fragile ecology. Activities include backpacking and rock climbing, as well as fossil identification, bird watching, and exploring Native American and pioneer historical sites. Special features include:

Information on day hikes, backpacking trips, and peak climbs, all classified by degree of difficulty

Detailed descriptions of each region's natural, geologic, and human history, plus plant and animal identification

Tips on desert safety and survival, weather conditions, clothing and equipment, and special requirements for car travel

Area maps, suggested tours, lists of public campgrounds and conservation organizations, and details for locating facilities for food, water, and gas