El Paso Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids El Paso Mountains |
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 Location in California
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,479 m (4,852 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Mojave Desert |
| District | Kern County |
| Range coordinates | 35°26′15.854″N 117°48′57.235″W / 35.43773722°N 117.81589861°W |
| Topo map | USGS Garlock |
The El Paso Mountains are a mountain range found in the northern part of the Mojave Desert. They are located in central Southern California, in the Western United States.
Where are the El Paso Mountains?
This mountain range stretches from the southwest to the northeast. It is located east of Highway 14. To its north are the Rand Mountains and Randsburg Red Rock Road. The beautiful Red Rock Canyon State Park is at the western end of the range.
The El Paso Mountains are about 18 miles (29 km) long. They are located about 16 miles (26 km) north−northeast of California City. They are also south of Ridgecrest and Inyokern. Highway 395 crosses through the mountains near Johannesburg.
The highest point in the range is Black Mountain, which stands at 5,244 feet (1,600 meters) tall.
What's Special About Them?
A special protected area called the El Paso Mountains Wilderness Area is located within these mountains. This area is looked after by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Inside this wilderness area, you can find the Last Chance Archaeological District. This important historical site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Kern County, California.
The plants that grow here are mostly creosote bush plants. On the western side of the mountains, you can also see Joshua trees, which are a type of large yucca plant.
One very interesting feature is the Burro Schmidt Tunnel. A man named William "Burro" H. Schmidt dug this mining tunnel by hand. He worked on it between 1906 and 1938 to transport mining ore. The southern entrance of the tunnel looks out over the old ghost town of Garlock.
Who Lived Here Long Ago?
The Coso People were some of the first Native American groups to live in these mountains. They carved many pictures and symbols into the rocks in the El Paso Mountains and nearby areas. They also traded a lot with other tribes, even with the Chumash who lived far away on the Pacific coast.
