Hot Springs Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hot Springs Mountain |
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 Hot Springs Mountain
Location in California
Hot Springs Mountain
Location in San Diego County, California
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,526 ft (1,989 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 2,613 ft (796 m) |
| Listing | California county high points 34th |
| Geography | |
| Location | San Diego County, California, U.S. |
| Parent range | Peninsular Ranges |
| Topo map | USGS Hot Springs Mountain |
Hot Springs Mountain is a tall peak in California. It's part of the Peninsular Ranges. This mountain is super special because it's the highest point in San Diego County! It stands about 6,535 feet (1,992 meters) high. Sometimes, snow even falls on its peak during winter.
Where is Hot Springs Mountain?
This mountain is in a quiet, far-off part of San Diego County. It's about 4 miles from Warner Springs. It's also 12 miles from Borrego Springs. The big city of San Diego is about 50 miles away.
The mountain and the land around it belong to the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians. If you want to visit, you can hike up to the top. There's a path called Sukat Road from the campground. Remember, hikers and campers need to pay a small fee to enter this area.
Amazing Views from the Top!
From the top of Hot Springs Mountain, you can see so much! On a clear day, you can look out over many counties. These include San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial counties.
- Looking North: You might spot Mount San Jacinto and Mount San Gorgonio. On a very clear day, you can even see Mount Baldy, also known as Mount San Antonio.
- Looking Northeast: Toro Peak and San Rosa Mountain are visible.
- Looking East: You can see the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The Salton Sea also sparkles in the distance.
- Looking South: Cuyamaca Peak is visible. This is the second-highest point in San Diego County. If the day is super clear, you might even see parts of urban San Diego.
- Looking West: The huge Pacific Ocean stretches out before you. You might even see Catalina Island far away! The furthest point you can see is the Topatopa Mountains in Ventura County, over 150 miles away. Palomar Mountain is also a cool sight nearby.
Trees and Plants on the Mountain
Hot Springs Mountain is home to several types of tall trees. These trees add to the beauty of the mountain.
Some of the trees you might see include:
- Jeffrey Pine
- Ponderosa Pine
- White Fir
- Incense Cedar
- Sugar Pines, which are easy to spot with their unique drooping branches.
