Clipper Valley facts for kids
Clipper Valley is a huge, oval-shaped flat area of land in the eastern Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. It's located south of the Mojave National Preserve. A major road, Interstate 40, runs along the southern edge of the valley. To the east, you'll find the city of Needles, California and the famous Colorado River.
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What is Clipper Valley Like?
Clipper Valley is surrounded by mountains. To its north are the Clipper Mountains, to the southeast are the Providence Mountains, and to the northwest are the Sacramento Mountains. This valley is very large, covering more than 400 square miles (about 1,036 square kilometers). That's big enough to fit most of the greater Los Angeles area inside it!
Interesting Features of the Valley
The valley has two main natural features that stand out. The biggest one is called the Blind Hills. These are rocky hills that have been worn down over time, with flat tops. The other feature is Halfway Hill, which is located right in the middle of the valley.
How to Get Around Clipper Valley
Even though it's a huge area, only two small roads actually cross Clipper Valley. One is a dirt road known as Vulcan Mine Road. The other is a mostly forgotten part of the historic National Old Trails Road and old U.S. Route 66.
History of Clipper Valley
For thousands of years, Clipper Valley was part of the homeland of the Mojave people. This area has also been important for mining. Many mining operations took place here, especially during the Gold Rush in the 1840s.
Nearby Wilderness Area
Close to Clipper Valley, in the northern Clipper Mountains, is the Clipper Mountain Wilderness area. This is a protected natural space.
