Tecopa officially hit triple digits ahead of Memorial Day weekend, signaling the start of the desert’s long, sun-scorched summer. With daytime highs soaring past 100°F (37°C), emerging snakes making the rounds, most of the seasonal snowbirds have packed up and headed north, leaving behind a quieter town and a smaller, more heat-hardened crowd.
But summer in Tecopa doesn’t mean empty roads. In fact, a new wave of travelers is arriving—European visitors making their annual pilgrimage through the Mojave. May and June traditionally mark the start of the Euro-tourist season, as travelers fresh from Las Vegas wind their way toward the High Sierra and Yosemite National Park, often stopping in Tecopa for a soak, a photo op, or a much-needed pause in the shade. However, they won’t get a chance to visit Tecopa’s local restaurants, as they are officially closed for the season.
Locals know the rhythm well: the RVs may be fewer, but the accents more varied.
Wait, $50 Million For What Now?
An unprecedented real estate opportunity has emerged in the heart of the Mojave Desert. Listed at $50 million—a price tag locals are calling “delusional”—the expansive 275.67-acre property at 120 Old Spanish Trail Highway in Tecopa is being billed as a rare blank canvas for visionary investors, developers, or conservation-minded stewards.
The property is owned by Jon Zellhoefer—land he inherited through the family trust of his late father, Dr. Howard Zellhoefer, who originally purchased the area in 1969.
The property is home to Death Valley Brewing, which Jon Zellhoefer opened in 2014 inside a restored railroad tie house that once served as both the railroad paymaster’s office and the medical library of Dr. Zellhoefer. Operating seasonally from October through May, the brewery is located within the historic Tecopa Trading Post—a 1942 structure that sits adjacent to the town’s post office, both of which are part of the larger property.
The listing features a variety of standout assets, including:
- A permitted airstrip
- Leased commercial structures, including the brewery and post office
- 180,000 gallons per day in documented water rights
- Onsite power infrastructure
- Expansive desert views just minutes from renowned natural hot springs
Marketed as a one-of-a-kind investment opportunity, the property was recently featured in a promotional Instagram video showcasing a young woman twirling across the desert to pulsing electronic dance music, framed by sweeping panoramic vistas. But the video carefully avoided one of the site’s most contentious realities: an abandoned RV development that never came to fruition. Today, that failed project functions as an improvised dump station serving the thousands of off-road enthusiasts who descend on nearby Dumont Dunes each year.
Known as “the Duners,” these visitors routinely drive their off-road vehicles through Tecopa Heights to reach the edge of the property, where they hightail it across the landscape to Death Valley Brewing, their engines echoing through the otherwise tranquil landscape—a regular source of frustration for local residents.
Local residents have voiced concerns about the impact of this RV dumping area, which they fear may be leaking waste into the Amargosa River watershed, a delicate and ecologically significant corridor. Some also blame the growing infestation of enormous “bomber” horse flies on the volume of fecal matter deposited in the area during peak visitation. New owners would face significant costs to upgrade or remove the dumping system.
Adding to the concern, the property includes multiple derelict buildings that appear dangerously close to being condemned. According to the draft Tecopa Community Plan, the site requires a comprehensive “master plan” to resolve ongoing zoning and land use issues in coordination with Inyo County. A well-placed longtime local tells TecopaCabana that he considers Zellhoefer to be a slumlord.
“This is not just real estate—it’s a rare convergence of infrastructure, history, and natural beauty in one of the West’s last open frontiers,” the listing notes.
Situated just 90 minutes from Las Vegas, the property straddles a complex intersection of potential and controversy—offering both the infrastructure for development and the environmental and cultural sensitivities of a region at the crossroads of tourism, conservation, and legacy landholding.
For more information, visit the Zillow listing.
Birds Return to Burn Area at China Ranch
Attention bird watchers! Thanks to Barbara Kelly of Bishop for sharing her early morning bird list from a walk around China Ranch Date Farm—a lush oasis nestled in the Mojave. Her sightings offer especially good news: birds are re-occupying the burn area impacted by the 2021 fire.
China Ranch continues to serve as a critical stopover for migratory species and a vibrant year-round habitat for many resident birds.
Barbara’s Bird List Highlights:
- Wrens: 5 Verdin, 1 Canyon Wren, 2 Bewick’s Wren
- Warblers & Vireos: 7 Lucy’s Warbler, 3 Common Yellowthroat, 4 Yellow Warbler, 5 Bell’s Vireo (3 in the burn area)
- Tanagers & Grosbeaks: 6 Western Tanager, 4 Black-headed Grosbeak
- Doves: 1 White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove
- Songbirds: House Finches, 1 Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, 5 Crissal Thrashers, 8 Yellow-breasted Chats
- Swifts: 3 Vaux’s Swifts, 2 White-throated Swifts
- Others: 3 Greater Roadrunners, Quail, Ravens, Turkey Vulture
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a curious visitor, now’s a great time to explore the trails and listen closely—the desert is singing. Be sure to bring lots of water!
China Ranch remains not only a critical stopover for migratory birds but also a working date farm in full swing. As staff shared, “We are still busy pollinating the female trees here at the ranch!” Nature is bustling above and below the canopy.
Amargosa Conservancy Surveys Rare Plants as Hydrologists Map Water Sources Across Basin
The Amargosa Conservancy spent the week immersed in the lush spring rhythms of the Amargosa River Valley, surveying rare plant populations and scouting future sites for ecological restoration.
Among the botanical highlights: early sightings of two rare and regionally significant species—the Ash Meadows Lady’s Tresses (Spiranthes infernalis) and the Tecopa Bird’s Beak (Chloropyron tecopense). Both plants are just beginning to emerge, and Conservancy staff collected samples now housed at the California Botanic Garden for further study.
“This work allows us to pinpoint where these sensitive populations are growing,” the Conservancy shared on Instagram. “We’ll return in June and July, during peak bloom, for additional sampling and seed collection—crucial steps for conservation planning and habitat restoration.”
The effort underscores a growing commitment to native plant protection and long-term ecosystem health in the delicate Amargosa basin, one of the Mojave Desert’s most ecologically unique corridors.
In addition to the botanical surveys, hydrologists from Roux Associates, Inc. completed a hydrological monitoring event across the Middle Amargosa Basin. The team collected data from 33 different springs, seeps, and groundwater monitoring wells. This monitoring offers crucial insight into groundwater trends and the overall health of the watershed.
Together, these efforts reflect a coordinated approach to protecting the Amargosa Basin’s unique ecosystems—balancing scientific research with conservation action in one of the Mojave Desert’s most biodiverse regions.
Matt Kingsley Joins Friends of the Amargosa Basin Board After Decades of Public Lands Leadership
Friends of the Amargosa Basin (FAB) has announced the appointment of Matt Kingsley to its Board of Directors, bringing decades of experience in public land management and local governance to the regional conservation nonprofit.
Kingsley, who retired in 2024 after serving three terms as Inyo County’s 5th District Supervisor representing Tecopa, has spent more than 35 years working on the frontlines and in leadership roles for federal land agencies. A former wildland firefighter, Kingsley rose through the ranks to become Fire Staff Officer for both the Inyo National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management’s Bishop Field Office.
Over the course of his career, Kingsley has served as a direct supervisor, administrator, and elected official, consistently bridging the divide between federal policy and local community needs. His appointment to the FAB board reflects a deep understanding of the complex relationships that shape the Amargosa Basin and surrounding lands.
“My background serving as staff-level management for the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, as well as a local elected official in a county that is influenced by five national parks and monuments, gives me a unique perspective,” Kingsley said. “I understand how public policy affects gateway communities and other jurisdictions that rely on healthy, well-managed public lands.”
FAB’s leadership welcomed Kingsley’s appointment as a significant addition to its mission of protecting the natural and cultural resources of the Amargosa region. His expertise is expected to bolster the organization’s efforts to collaborate with local, state, and federal stakeholders while advancing resilient, community-based conservation strategies.
Green Life Produce Hosts 4th Annual Spring Farm Festival in Pahrump
Pahrump, NV — Green Life Produce invites the public to celebrate the bounty of spring at their 4th Annual Farm Event on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 6640 Hawkins Way in Pahrump.
This free, family-friendly festival offers a vibrant lineup of activities that highlight local agriculture, music, and community spirit. Guests can enjoy a complimentary farm tour at 10:00 a.m., showcasing organic growing practices and the beauty of the spring harvest.
The event will also feature:
- Fresh food crafted from Green Life’s organic produce and meats from local favorite BbarH Premium Meats & B-H Cattle Co.
- Live music from Pahrump’s own Danny Pillman
- Free face painting for kids and the young at heart
- Games, raffles, and a variety of local vendors
More than 470 people have already responded to the event on Facebook. The event is open to all—no RSVP required. For more information, visit Green Life Produce on Facebook.
Eastern Sierra Pride Festival Returns to Mammoth for Its Fourth Year of Celebration and Community
Mammoth Lakes, CA – June 7-8, 2025
Get ready to shine your brightest—Eastern Sierra Pride is bringing color, joy, and community to the mountains once again with the Fourth Annual Eastern Sierra Pride Festival.
Taking place June 7–8 at Canyon Lodge in Mammoth Lakes, this year’s festival promises an unforgettable weekend of celebration, inclusion, and exuberant expression for the 2SLGBTQIAP+ community and its allies. That stands for two-Spirit (2S), Lesbian (L), Gay (G), Bisexual (B), Transgender (T), Queer or Questioning (Q), Intersex (I), Asexual (A), and Pansexual (P).
Festival 2025 features a dynamic lineup of new and returning performers, vendors, and all-ages activities designed to uplift and connect. Whether you’re dancing until dawn or bringing the whole family for Sunday festivities, Pride in the Eastern Sierra offers something for everyone.
Saturday Night Lights: Music, Drag, and Dancing
The celebration kicks off on Saturday evening, June 7, as DJ DYOPS brings the beats to set the tone for an electrifying night. Back by popular demand is the All Star Drag Show, co-hosted by Sue Casa and the beloved Miss Shugana, who returns as the event’s reigning queen of charisma.
After the show, the dance floor comes alive with an 18+ dance party that keeps the energy pulsing until 1:00 a.m. Tickets are required for Saturday’s drag and dance festivities, but everyone is welcome to enjoy the food truck pavilion—no admission needed. Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday Family Fun: Drag Bingo, Live Music, and Cultural Performances
On Sunday, June 8, the festival opens at 10:00 a.m. for a full day of community-centered fun. Start with Queer Yoga and peruse the open-air vendor market before settling in for a lineup of inclusive programming. Families can look forward to performances by the AkaMya Culture Group and a second round of Miss Shugana magic at the all-ages Drag Bingo. The day also features an all-ages drag show and live musical performances by Tess Clare and American Idol alum David Hernandez.
Celebrating Identity, Culture, and Connection
Now in its fourth year, the Eastern Sierra Pride Festival is the product of tireless grassroots organizing by volunteers, with generous support from Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes Tourism, the Town of Mammoth Lakes, and community sponsors. At its heart, the festival is about more than just entertainment—it’s a celebration of history, resilience, and the vibrant spectrum of queer life in the Eastern Sierra.
Ticket prices for Pride Fest 2025 range from $10 to $50, with free admission for Indigenous attendees and children under six. Drag Bingo requires an additional $10 ticket. For full details on events, sponsorships, vendor applications, and volunteer opportunities, visit easternsierrapride.org/pride2025.
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