Granite Mountains (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Granite Mountains |
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Late afternoon view from Kelbaker Road
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,238 m (4,062 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Mojave Desert |
| District | San Bernardino County |
| Range coordinates | 34°47′42.2″N 115°41′32.1″W / 34.795056°N 115.692250°W |
| Topo map | USGS Leach Lake |
The Granite Mountains are a small mountain range found in San Bernardino County, California, USA. They are located in the Mojave Desert. These mountains are part of the Mojave National Preserve, which is managed by the National Park Service.
The University of California runs the Granite Mountain Natural Reserve here. This reserve covers about 9,000 acres within the Mojave National Preserve. It is a special place for learning and research. Professor Kenneth Norris started the reserve in 1978. Today, it is managed by UC Riverside. Students and teachers have studied the plants and animals of the Granite Mountains for many years. This reserve is one of 37 in the UC Natural Reserve System.
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Exploring the Granite Mountains
The Granite Mountains are located north of Interstate 40. They are also near the historic Route 66.
Nearby Areas
Other mountain ranges are close by. The Providence Mountains are to the northeast. The Bristol Mountains are to the west. To the southeast, you'll find the Old Woman Mountains. The Pisgah Crater and Bullion Mountains are to the southwest.
Local Communities
The mountains are east of the small town of Kelso. They are northeast of Ludlow. They are also north of Amboy.
Mountain Stretch
The range stretches from Granite Pass to Budweiser Wash.
Understanding the Geology
The Granite Mountains have some amazing rock formations. These rocks are made of granite. Over time, they have been shaped by nature. You can see rounded shapes, tall spires, and curved cliffs. Some boulders even look like they are balancing on top of others.
How Granite Rocks Formed
Granite rocks are like the deep roots of old volcanoes. Most of the granite in the Mojave Desert is very old. It formed between 80 and 180 million years ago. These rocks were created deep underground. They formed in a mountain range that was active with volcanoes. It was similar to the Andes mountains in South America.
Magma and Cooling
The granite formed when hot, melted rock called magma slowly cooled down. This magma was deep inside the Earth. It came from sinking pieces of oceanic crust under the continent's edge. It took millions of years for these rocks to form and then be uncovered.
Water in the Mountains
Several springs can be found in the Granite Mountains. These springs are natural places where water flows out of the ground. However, the water in these springs might not flow all year long.
