Yes, not a lot of vegetation out there. I've seen a herd of mule deer once. Might see the occasional chipmunk and a lizard once in a great while. Wild burros seem to find enough to eat and thrive but they are usually closer to a water source. Javalina, elk, and desert bighorn sheep are occasionally spotted in the areas closer to water too

Most of the tracks are what remains of old trails to small gold mines that were worked by early miners in the area. Those are the same folks responsible for there being wild burros on the land.

The land is owned by the Federal Govt. BLM or Bureau of Land Managment is theoretically responsible for most of it but it's mostly left alone and we are free to use it for now.

Haven't had any issues with cactus or tree thorns in the tires