The Chemehuevi Mountains are found at the southeast border of

San Bernardino County San Bernardino County (), officially the County of San Bernardino, is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California, and is located within the Inland Empire area. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the population was 2,181, ...

in southeastern

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

adjacent the

Colorado River The Colorado River ( es, Río Colorado) is one of the principal rivers (along with the Rio Grande) in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The river drains an expansive, arid watershed that encompasses parts of seven U.S. s ...

. Located south of Needles, California and northwest of the

Whipple Mountains The Whipple Mountains ( Mojave: Avii Kur'utat; Chemehuevi: Wiyaatuʷa̱) 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 ...

, the mountains lie in a north–south direction in general, and are approximately in length.

Geography

The mountains are located between

U.S. Route 95 US Route 95 (US 95) is a major north–south United States Numbered Highways, US Highway in the western United States. It travels through the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Idaho, staying inland from the Pacific Coast ...

and the

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. The natu ...

of the River, just south of

Interstate 40 Interstate 40 (I-40) is a major east–west Interstate Highway running through the south-central portion of the United States. At a length of , it is the third-longest Interstate Highway in the country, after I-90 and I-80. From west to ea ...

. Whale Mountain, at , is found at the northern end of the range about five miles east of Lobecks Pass. The Chemehuevi range reaches at its highpoint, Chemehuevi Peak, located at the range's extreme southwest, bordering Chemehuevi Valley and

Wash WASH (or Watsan, WaSH) is an acronym that stands for "water, sanitation and hygiene". It is used widely by non-governmental organizations and aid agencies in developing countries. The purposes of providing access to WASH services include achievi ...

, 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.//www.blm.gov/ca/pa/wilderness/wa/areas/chemehuevi_mountains.html . accessed 6/22/2010 . BLM

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documents sourced

References

*California Road and Recreation Atlas, 2005, pg. 115.

External links

Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness Area website BLM Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness Map
{{authority control Mountain ranges of the Mojave Desert Protected areas of the Mojave Desert Mountain ranges of the Lower Colorado River Valley Mountain ranges of San Bernardino County, California Bureau of Land Management areas in California Protected areas of San Bernardino County, California

Geography

Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness

See also

References

External links