Chuckwalla Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chuckwalla Mountains |
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Chuckwalla Mountains from Corn Springs
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,107 m (3,632 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| District | Riverside County |
| Range coordinates | 33°35′30.084″N 115°22′32.937″W / 33.59169000°N 115.37581583°W |
| Topo map | USGS Pilot Mountain |
The Chuckwalla Mountains are a mountain range in southern California. They are located in Riverside County. These mountains are in a special area where the Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert meet. This means they have a mix of plants and weather from both deserts.
Geography
This mountain range stretches for about 40 miles (64 km). It runs from the northwest to the southeast. To the north, you'll find Interstate 10 and the town of Desert Center. To the south, there's the Bradshaw Trail and a military training area called the Chocolate Mountains Aerial Gunnery Range.
The tallest point in the Chuckwalla Mountains is Black Butte. It stands at 4,504 feet (1,373 meters) high. The Chuckwalla Range is separated from the Little Chuckwalla Range by a place called Graham Pass. The Orocopia Mountains are to the west. Also, Joshua Tree National Park is located to the northwest.
Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness Area
Most of the Chuckwalla Mountains are part of a special protected area. It was named the Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness Area in 1994. The Bureau of Land Management looks after this area. A wilderness area is a place where nature is kept wild and untouched.
In this area, you can only drive on certain established roads. This helps protect the natural environment. The Chuckwalla Mountains rise like an island from a large area of sand and rock. Inside this "rock fortress," you can find many different landforms. These include deep canyons, hidden valleys, dry riverbeds called washes, and large open desert spaces.
Plants and Animals
The Chuckwalla Mountains are part of the Colorado Desert. This desert is known for its unique plants and animals. You can see plants like ocotillo, cholla, yucca, and creosote bushes. There are also different kinds of cacti, such as barrel and foxtail cacti.
On the southern side of the mountains, there's a flat area called the Chuckwalla Bench. This area is very important because it's home to the desert tortoise. This tortoise is a threatened animal, meaning its numbers are getting low. Other animals living here include the rosy boa snake and the kangaroo rat.
The mountains are named after a large lizard called the chuckwalla. You can often spot these lizards in the area. Other wildlife includes bighorn sheep, burro deer, and birds of prey like hawks. You might also see snakes, coyotes, and foxes.
A famous naturalist named Edmund C. Jaeger made an important discovery here. He found a common poorwill bird hibernating. This was the first time scientists knew birds could hibernate. The place where he made this discovery is now called the Edmund C. Jaeger Nature Sanctuary. It helps protect this special spot.
History
The Chuckwalla Mountains have been visited by people for thousands of years. This is because they are located near important travel routes. Also, they have several places where water can be found. The most well-known water source is Corn Springs.
Over time, people also found valuable minerals here. Several successful mines were dug in the mountains. Some of these mines include the Red Cloud, Aztec, and Granite mines.
