Chemehuevi Mountains

Chemehuevi Mountains
Mountain Range
Country United States
State California
Region (southeast)-Mojave Desert
Lower Colorado River Valley
County San Bernardino
Borders on Sacramento Mountains-NW
Topock Marsh & Gorge-N & NE
Colorado River-E
Mohave Mountains-SE
Chemehuevi Wash & Valley-W & S
Whipple Mountains-SSE
Cities Topock, AZ, (Needles, CA), Lake Havasu City, AZ
River Colorado River
Coordinates
Highest point Chemehuevi Peak
 - elevation 3,694 ft (1,126 m)
Timezone Pacific (UTC-8)
 - summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
Topo map USGS Chemehuevi Peak
Chemehuevi Mountains
in California [1]

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.

Contents

Geography

The mountains are located between U.S. Route 95 and the Topock Gorge of the River, just south of Interstate 40. Whale Mountain, at 2,774 feet (846 m), is found at the northern end of the range about five miles east of Lobecks Pass. The Chemehuevi range reaches 3,694 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.

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.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Chemehuevi Mountains". Geographic Names Information System, U.S. Geological Survey. http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:255467. Retrieved 2009-05-04. 
  2. ^ //www.blm.gov/ca/pa/wilderness/wa/areas/chemehuevi_mountains.html . accessed 6/22/2010 . BLM Public domain documents sourced

External links