Dead Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dead Mountains |
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Seen from Needles Highway-(I-40)
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Mount Manchester |
| Elevation | 1,097 m (3,599 ft) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 11 mi (18 km) N-S |
| Width | 5 mi (8.0 km) E-W-(widest at north) |
| Geography | |
 Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | (southeast)-Mojave Desert (Lower Colorado River Valley) |
| District | San Bernardino County |
| Settlement | Needles, CA–Mohave Valley, AZ |
| Range coordinates | 35°01′40″N 114°44′56″W / 35.02778°N 114.74889°W |
| Borders on | Newberry Mountains (Nevada)-N Piute Valley & Wash-W & S Colorado River-E Interstate 40 in California-S |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Manchester |
The Dead Mountains are a mountain range found in the southeastern part of the Mojave Desert in California. They are located in San Bernardino County. This mountain range is special because it sits right where three states meet: Nevada, Arizona, and California. The Mohave Valley is also nearby. Part of the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation touches the eastern side of these mountains.
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Exploring the Dead Mountains
The Dead Mountains are about 19 kilometers (12 miles) northwest of Needles, California. To the east, they are next to the famous Colorado River. On their western side, you'll find the Piute Wash, which is part of the Piute Valley. This wash flows south and then turns east to join the Colorado River.
Mount Manchester: The Highest Point
The tallest peak in the Dead Mountains is called Mount Manchester. It stands at an elevation of 1,097 meters (3,598 feet). Imagine the views from up there!
Dead Mountains Wilderness Area
These mountains have a unique rust color. They cover a large area of 46,758 acres. In 1994, the United States Congress officially named this area the Dead Mountains Wilderness. This was done as part of the California Desert Protection Act of 1994. The Bureau of Land Management helps take care of this special place.
Plants of the Desert Mountains
The plants you'll mostly see here are creosote bushes. You'll also find "desert wash scrub," which are plants that grow in dry riverbeds. Inside the wilderness area, there's a place called the California Desert Conservation Area. Here, you might spot interesting plants like smoke trees.
Animals of the Dead Mountains
The Dead Mountains are home to many cool animals. You might see coyotes roaming around. There's also a small group of bighorn sheep, which are known for their big, curved horns. Be careful, though, because rattlesnakes live here too!
Look up in the sky, and you might spot amazing birds like falcons, hawks, and eagles. A very important part of this wilderness is a protected home for the desert tortoise. This tortoise is an endangered animal, meaning it needs our help to survive.
