Bernasconi Hills facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bernasconi Hills |
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 Location in California
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 776 m (2,546 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Peninsular Ranges |
| District | Riverside County |
| Range coordinates | 33°50′47.066″N 117°9′16.121″W / 33.84640722°N 117.15447806°W |
| Topo map | USGS Perris |
The Bernasconi Hills are a small group of mountains in California, USA. You can find them in Riverside County. They are part of a bigger chain of mountains called the Peninsular Ranges.
Contents
Where Are the Bernasconi Hills?
These hills are right next to Lake Perris, on its eastern side. Imagine them as a natural wall along the lake.
Bernasconi Pass: A Natural Gateway
A special spot called Bernasconi Pass cuts through the hills. This pass divides the hills into two parts: the Bernasconi Hills North and the Bernasconi Hills South.
Long ago, in March 1774, a Spanish explorer named Juan Bautista de Anza and his group were the first Europeans to travel through this pass. There is a monument there today to remember their journey.
Lake Perris and the Pass
In 1973, Lake Perris was created by building a dam. This caused the western part of Bernasconi Pass to be covered by water. However, you can still use the pass to reach Bernasconi Beach and Bernasconi Cove on the lake's southeast side.
Fun Activities in the Hills
Some parts of the Bernasconi Hills are inside the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. This is a great place for outdoor fun! The hills have many rocks, which makes them perfect for a sport called bouldering. Bouldering is like rock climbing, but you don't use ropes and usually stay closer to the ground. People who love bouldering often call this area the Bernasconi Ridge.
Who Were the Bernasconi Hills Named After?
The hills and the pass are named after a man named Bernardo Bernasconi. He was born in Switzerland in 1839 and lived until 1923. Bernardo Bernasconi bought a large piece of land around the hills. It was about 284 acres (1.15 square kilometers). He bought this land from Joseph Wolfskill. Bernardo then started a sheep ranch there, which he called Sulpher Springs Ranch.
