Eagle Mountains facts for kids
The Eagle Mountains are a mountain range located in the northeastern part of Riverside County, California, in the United States. These mountains are a natural landmark in the desert landscape of Southern California.
Geography of the Eagle Mountains
The Eagle Mountains are found north of Interstate 10 (California) and to the west and southwest of the Coxcomb Mountains. This area is known for its rugged beauty and desert environment.
The mountains are home to a place called Eagle Mountain. This was once a busy town because of a very large iron mine. The mine, run by Kaiser Steel, was one of the biggest open-pit iron ore mines in the country. An "open-pit" mine means the minerals are dug right from the surface, creating a large hole. The mine is now closed, and the town is mostly empty, often called a "ghost town."
Part of the Eagle Mountains stretches into the eastern side of Joshua Tree National Park. This park is famous for its unique desert plants and rock formations. Inside the park, the mountains reach their highest point at about 1,631 meters (5,351 feet) tall. This high spot is located near Cottonwood Pass.
The Eagle Mountains are part of the Colorado Desert region, which is a section of the larger Sonoran Desert. As you travel through these mountains, the landscape slowly changes, moving towards the higher and slightly cooler Mojave Desert.
