Editing Rancho Mirage, California (section)

====Magnesia Spring Ecological Reserve====
The Magnesia Spring Ecological Reserve, a 3,800-acre area, was designated a nature reserve by the [[California Department of Fish and Wildlife]] in 1975. It is home to wildlife such as the [[Ovis canadensis nelsoni|Peninsular bighorn sheep]], [[Coyote]], [[Bobcat]], [[Gray fox]], [[Prairie falcon]], [[Golden eagle]], [[Gambel's quail]], and [[Mourning dove]]. It became a reserve to preserve and rehabilitate both habitat and access to freshwater sources for the Bighorn sheep.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Magnesia Spring Ecological Reserve |url=https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Magnesia-Spring-ER |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=wildlife.ca.gov}}</ref> Magnesia Spring Canyon is the only desert palm oasis within city limits. The [[ecological reserve]] is located in Magnesia Springs Canyon and is an important habitat site for sensitive species such as the [[Peninsular Bighorn Sheep]], [[Bell's Vireo]], [[Southwestern Willow Flycatcher]], and the [[Prairie Falcon]]. It is managed by the [[California Department of Fish and Wildlife]].<ref name="Rancho Mirage 2017 General Plan"/>

Hiking is permitted in the reserve parts of the year. It can be accessed from trails such as the Mirage Trail and Magnesia Spring Falls Trail.<ref>California Department of Fish and Wildlife (2020). ''California Fish and Game Code''. Matthew Bender & Company, Inc. (LexisNexis Group). Page 1587. ISBN 9781522195641.</ref><ref>Snape, John (2014). ''California Fish and Game Code 2014''. Lulu. Page 53. ISBN 9781304925220.</ref> It can be reached by following the trail to Magnesia Falls, which has its trailhead at Blixseth Mountain Park, next to Rancho Mirage Elementary School. This trail leads to a variety of [[oases]] and waterfalls in the [[Santa Rosa Mountains (California)|Santa Rosa Mountains]] and is closed from January 1 to September 30 in order to protect the native Peninsular bighorn sheep. Lower Magnesia Falls is 2.5 miles roundtrip from Blixseth Mountain Park, while the Upper Magnesia Falls waterfall is a 6.5-mile roundtrip hike. This trail eventually joins the Art Smith Trail.<ref>Harris, David (2018). ''Afoot & Afield: Inland Empire: 256 Spectacular Outings in Southern California''. Wilderness Press. ISBN 9780899978161.</ref>