Chemehuevi Mountains
Encyclopedia
The Chemehuevi Mountains are found at the southeast border of San Bernardino County in southeastern California
adjacent the Colorado River
. Located south of Needles, California
and northwest of the Whipple Mountains
, the mountains lie in a north-south direction in general, and are approximately 15 miles in length.
and the Topock Gorge
of the River, just south of Interstate 40
. Whale Mountain, at 2774 feet (846 m), is found at the northern end of the range about five miles east of Lobecks Pass. The Chemehuevi range reaches 3694 feet (1,126 m) at its highpoint, Chemehuevi Peak, located at the range's extreme southwest, bordering Chemehuevi Valley and Wash
, where the valley turns due-east to meet the Colorado River.
Viewed from the west, the striking light, almost white, granite peaks contrast sharply with the rich green creosote and cactus-covered bajadas. A few miles from the Colorado River, the mountains change dramatically from light-colored granite to dark red and gray volcanic spires and mesas.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
adjacent the Colorado River
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
. Located south of Needles, California
Needles, California
Needles is a city located in the Mojave Desert on the western banks of the Colorado River in San Bernardino County, California. It is located in the Mohave Valley, which straddles the California–Arizona border. The city is accessible via Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 95...
and northwest of the Whipple Mountains
Whipple Mountains
The Whipple Mountains, 'Avii Kur'utat in the Mojave language, are located in eastern San Bernardino County, California. They are directly west of the Colorado River, Parker Dam, and Lake Havasu; south of Needles, California; north of Parker, Arizona and Vidal, California; and northeast of Vidal...
, the mountains lie in a north-south direction in general, and are approximately 15 miles in length.
Geography
The mountains are located between U.S. Route 95U.S. Route 95 in California
In the U.S. state of California, U.S. Route 95 traverses through the far eastern edges of both Riverside and San Bernardino counties. US 95 serves Blythe and Needles and junctions with SR 62 at Vidal Junction....
and the Topock Gorge
Topock Gorge
Topock Gorge is a mountainous canyon and gorge section of the Colorado River located between Interstate 40 and Lake Havasu. The town of Needles, California, to the northwest, was named for the "needle-like" vertical rock outcroppings...
of the River, just south of Interstate 40
Interstate 40
Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
. Whale Mountain, at 2774 feet (846 m), is found at the northern end of the range about five miles east of Lobecks Pass. The Chemehuevi range reaches 3694 feet (1,126 m) at its highpoint, Chemehuevi Peak, located at the range's extreme southwest, bordering Chemehuevi Valley and Wash
Chemehuevi Wash
The Chemehuevi Wash is a large wash of northeast San Bernardino County in the southeast Mojave Desert. The wash enters the center-west bank of Lake Havasu on the California–Arizona border...
, where the valley turns due-east to meet the Colorado River.
Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness
The Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness Area encompasses the rugged, granitic Chemehuevi Mountains. The mountain range is horseshoe-shaped, with the open end facing eastward toward the Colorado River. Contained within the arms of the horseshoe is a large central valley with low rolling hills covered by dense stands of cholla and other cacti, ocotillo, and an occasional agave.Viewed from the west, the striking light, almost white, granite peaks contrast sharply with the rich green creosote and cactus-covered bajadas. A few miles from the Colorado River, the mountains change dramatically from light-colored granite to dark red and gray volcanic spires and mesas.
See also
- :Category:Mountain ranges of the Mojave Desert
- :Category:Protected areas of the Mojave Desert
- :Category:Flora of the California desert regions