Autumn is settling into the desert, and with it comes a sense of motion — the wind picking up, the air sharpening, and the land itself waking after months of heat and stillness. Across Inyo County, that shift is visible everywhere: in the renewed rhythm of community meetings, conservation projects, and events, and in the quiet hum of fieldwork that resumes once the sun softens.
Last week’s haboob at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes was a dramatic reminder that the season of change has truly arrived. The storm’s sweeping wall of dust rolled across Death Valley, briefly erasing the horizon in gold and gray before leaving behind a cooler calm — the desert’s version of a reset.
Farther south, the Dumont Dunes are stirring to life again as the 2025 OHV season begins. Campers, riders, and families are hauling trailers north from Baker and east from Tecopa, marking the return of one of the Mojave’s most storied sand-riding traditions. In the busy months ahead the dunes will fill with the sound of engines, laughter, and late-night campfires. For nearby towns like Tecopa, the change is palpable: the return of travelers means restocked shelves, reopened kitchens, and a season of renewed connection after the long quiet of summer.
Harvest Season at China Ranch
Down along the Amargosa River, China Ranch Date Farm is in the thick of harvest season, with the palms heavy and the air sweet with ripening fruit. Several varieties are being picked fresh this week, including the golden-hued yellow Barhi dates, prized for their soft texture and caramel-like flavor.
With daytime highs now in the 80s and crisp mornings in the 60s, it’s the perfect time to visit. Guests are invited to enjoy a date shake, stroll the palm groves, and take in the seasonal beauty of the canyon trails — a reminder that autumn in the desert brings its own quiet abundance.
Election Season in Motion
Amid that renewal, election season is also underway. Ballots for Measure 50 are being mailed this week to every active registered voter in Inyo County as part of the statewide special election. Voters have until October 20 to register to receive a mailed ballot, and Election Day falls on November 4. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by November 12, 2025.
The measure’s full text and voter information guide are available through the county’s elections office, which also encourages residents to verify registration and mailing details online at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.
Desert Conservation Under Threat
Conservationists are keeping a close eye on Washington as the Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) raises alarms over the Department of the Interior’s proposed rollback of the Public Lands Rule, a policy that currently directs the Bureau of Land Management to treat conservation as equal in importance to industrial and commercial uses.
If reversed, extractive industries could take precedence across 245 million acres of public land, including 11 million acres in California’s desert regions. MDLT warns that such a move could undermine decades of progress protecting fragile habitats and recreational access. Residents can learn more and submit comments at mdlt.org/defending-public-lands.
MDLT’s Native Plant Project
At the same time, MDLT’s Plant Conservation Team continues its steady, behind-the-scenes work. Thousands of seedlings are being cultivated in preparation for the Native Plant Sale on October 25, while the group deepens its partnership with Joshua Tree National Park.
Together they are growing more than 3,000 plants from 29 native species, propagated from locally collected seeds gathered over decades. These will be used to restore desert habitats damaged by fire, flooding, and erosion — a patient, long-term effort that underscores the quiet power of local stewardship.
Mason Voehl Returns to Amargosa Conservancy Leadership Post
The Amargosa Conservancy has announced the return of Mason Voehl as Executive Director, marking a comeback for one of the region’s most respected environmental advocates.
Voehl, who served as Campaigns Director while stepping back to attend to his new role as a father, helped lead efforts to protect the Amargosa River Basin from water export proposals and development threats. His leadership was pivotal in organizing coalitions among scientists, landowners, and environmental partners across the Mojave and Great Basin.
His return signals renewed stability for the Shoshone-based nonprofit, which remains dedicated to the protection of the Amargosa River and its rare desert wetlands — home to endangered species found nowhere else on Earth.
Tecopa Takeover Updates
Festival season is also on the horizon. Tecopa Takeover returns November 7–9 at the Tecopa Hot Springs Resort, and organizers confirm that fewer than 100 tickets remain.
This year’s edition — officially Tecopa Takeover 11 — promises a packed lineup of returning favorites and new faces. Organizers announced this week that one of the event’s most beloved performers, Scott Pemberton O Theory, will shred the main stage on Saturday, November 8.
Artists Confirmed So Far:
Scott Pemberton O Theory, Mega-Scopes, Catfish John, Big Like Texas, Pitchfork, HEISH, Junk Funk, The All You Can Eat Orchestra, MAN9, Open Channel, The Code, Flameology
…and more to be announced.
As always, the weekend will feature live music, fire performances, yoga, a silent disco, art installations, and the now-legendary raffle that benefits local causes. With attendance capped at 150, Tecopa Takeover remains an intimate, homegrown celebration of art, community, and the desert night sky.
Tickets: TecopaTakeover11.eventbrite.com
SIFPD Meets to Plan Fall Fundraisers
The Southern Inyo Fire Protection District (SIFPD) will hold its Fundraising Committee meeting tonight, October 6 at 6 p.m., at the Tecopa Community Center and via Zoom. More information on their website.
The agenda includes preparations for the November 8 flea market fundraiser and the December community holiday dinner, along with updates on district merchandise and outreach. Residents are encouraged to participate and help shape the district’s seasonal events.
Tecopa Mines Volunteer Weekend
This upcoming weekend, October 11–13, volunteers will gather for the Tecopa Volunteer Weekend, a community-led effort to preserve the town’s historic mining heritage.
Participants will assist with all levels of preservation and documentation of historical artifacts that tell the story of Tecopa’s early days. Volunteers are advised to bring sturdy shoes, gloves, plenty of water, and their best desert spirit — and to expect both dust and discovery.
Lone Pine Film Festival Celebrates 35 Years
The Lone Pine Film Festival celebrates its 35th anniversary from October 9–12, honoring more than a century of moviemaking in the Alabama Hills and surrounding Owens Valley.
Over 400 films and television productions have been shot in the region since the early 1900s, making it one of the most filmed landscapes in the American West. This year’s theme, Reel Adventure in Lone Pine, highlights 14 Technicolor-era classics that capture the thrill and beauty of the frontier. The festival includes screenings, guided tours, and panel discussions with historians and filmmakers.
More at lonepinefilmfestival.org.
Big Pine Fire Department Open House
The Big Pine Volunteer Fire Department will host its annual Open House on Tuesday, October 8, from 6 to 8 p.m., welcoming residents to tour the station, meet local firefighters and EMTs, and enjoy free hot dogs and refreshments.
In partnership with Inyo County Health and Human Services, the department will also offer free flu shots during the event — a seasonal tradition that pairs public health with hometown hospitality.
Inyo County Search Needs a New Land Rover
The all-volunteer Inyo County Search and Rescue (SAR) team — which responds to more than 50 emergencies each year across the rugged Eastern Sierra — has been named a finalist in the Land Rover USA Defender Service Honorees Award.
The program recognizes outstanding organizations serving their communities in extraordinary environments and gives previous finalists a second chance to win a custom Defender 130 vehicle — a fitting tool for a team that works across snowfields, rock faces, and desert terrain.
SAR volunteers routinely brave extreme weather and remote backcountry conditions, handling everything from high-altitude medical emergencies to technical rescues. To show support, residents can vote for the Defender to pick you up on their next mission at inyosar.com/vote.
Palm Springs Pride and Halloween
Farther south, the desert will dazzle in color as Palm Springs Pride aligns with Halloween weekend, transforming downtown into a spectacle of parades, drag shows, and art installations for two weekends. The celebration promises a joyful convergence of costume and community — a reminder that the Mojave’s creative energy shines in all its forms. Details are available at halloweenpalmsprings.com.
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