Baird Mountains facts for kids

The Baird Mountains are a mountain range in Alaska, a state in the United States. They are located in the northwestern part of Alaska, between two important rivers: the Kobuk River and the Noatak River. These mountains were named after Spencer F. Baird, who was a secretary at the Smithsonian Institution.

Where are the Baird Mountains?

The Baird Mountains are found in northwestern Alaska. They are part of the larger Western Brooks Range of mountains. This area covers about 5,600 square miles (14,500 square kilometers). That's a pretty big area!

The mountains are about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of a town called Kotzebue, Alaska. Even though they look big next to the rivers, they are not as tall as some other mountains in Alaska. Most peaks in the Baird Mountains are around 3,000 feet (900 meters) high. The highest point is Mount Angayukaqsraq, which reaches about 4,700 feet (1,433 meters).

Who Lives in the Baird Mountains Area?

For thousands of years, the Kuuvanmiit Eskimos have lived in the Baird Mountains region. They are a group of the Iñupiat Eskimos. These people have lived in five villages along the Kobuk River.

The Kuuvanmiit Eskimos are hunter-gatherers. This means they get their food by hunting animals and gathering plants. They are among the few groups in North America who still live this way today.

What is the Climate Like?

The climate in the Baird Mountains is similar to most of Alaska. The nearby Pacific Ocean makes the temperatures change a lot.

Winter Weather

Winter lasts for about five months, from November to March. During this time, temperatures are usually at or below 0°F (-18°C). It can get as cold as -60°F to -70°F (-51°C to -57°C). Cold spells of -40°F to -50°F (-40°C to -46°C) can last for one to three weeks.

The mountains can get about 100 inches (254 cm) of snow. Lower areas get around 45 inches (114 cm). Strong gale winds and snowstorms from the coast can cause temperatures to rise. They might go from 0°F to 20°F (-7°C) or even higher for a short time.

Summer Weather

Summer is much shorter, lasting only three months from June to August. This is when the most rain falls. Summer brings warmer temperatures and frequent rain showers. The rain can change quickly from light to heavy.

Temperatures in summer can range from about 35°F (2°C) to 90°F (32°C). The average summer temperature is usually between 50°F (10°C) and 60°F (16°C). Spring and autumn are very short seasons, lasting only six to eight weeks.

Daylight Hours

The amount of daylight changes a lot with the seasons. From May to August, it stays light for a very long time. The sun doesn't really set; it just circles low above the horizon. It only gets dark for a few hours when the sun goes behind the mountains. During spring and autumn, the length of daylight changes by six to eight minutes each day.

What Plants Grow Here?

The Baird Mountains have a surprising variety of plants. This is special because the area is just above the Arctic Circle. More than 360 different plant species are found only in this region.

The plants grow in different patterns. You can find forests, open tundra, and plants along the coasts. Where they grow depends on how high up they are, the weather, the soil, and past fires in the area.