Bighorn Mountains (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bighorn Mountains |
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 Location in California
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Granite Peak |
| Elevation | 1,744 m (5,722 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Mojave Desert |
| District | San Bernardino County |
| Range coordinates | 34°18′27.015″N 116°37′30.080″W / 34.30750417°N 116.62502222°W |
| Topo map | USGS Bighorn Canyon |
The Bighorn Mountains are a mountain range located in San Bernardino County, California. They are part of the Mojave Desert and the Transverse Ranges. Most of these mountains are protected by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Where are the Bighorn Mountains?
These mountains are an eastern part of the larger San Bernardino Mountains. You can find the Bighorn Mountains north of Morongo Valley. They are also northwest of Yucca Valley. To their south is Johnson Valley, and to their southeast is Lucerne Valley.
Plants and Animals in the Bighorns
The Bighorn Mountains are a special place where different types of environments meet. This meeting point is called an ecotone. Here, you can see plants that live in the desert, like Yuccas and Joshua trees. As you go higher up the mountains, you'll find forests of Jeffrey Pine trees.
Protecting the Bighorn Mountains
A large part of these mountains is protected as the Bighorn Mountain Wilderness Area. This area covers about 26,543 acres. It helps keep the northern and western parts of the range safe. Some of this protected land is managed by the BLM, and some is part of the San Bernardino National Forest.
Another section of the eastern Bighorn Mountains is protected within the Sand to Snow National Monument. These protected areas help keep the natural environment safe for plants and animals.
