Jackson Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jackson Mountains |
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King Lear Peak from Sulphur
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Unnamed peak |
| Elevation | 2,772 m (9,094 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Location in Nevada
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| District | Humboldt County |
| Range coordinates | 41°19′24.642″N 118°29′49.578″W / 41.32351167°N 118.49710500°W |
| Topo map | USGS Parrot Peak |
The Jackson Mountains are a mountain range in Humboldt County, Nevada. This range stretches from north to northeast. It is a part of the Basin and Range Province. This area has tall, separate mountains. These mountains are surrounded by lower areas filled with dirt and rocks.
To the west of the Jackson Mountains is the Black Rock Desert. Beyond that is the Black Rock Range. North of the mountains, you'll find the Quinn River and Nevada State Route 140. To the northeast, across the Kings River Valley, are the Double Mountains. The Sleeping Hills are to the east. South and southeast are the Eugene Mountains and Kamma Mountains. The old town of Sulphur is just southwest of a pass. This pass connects the Jackson and Kamma ranges. Nevada State Route 49 (also called Jungo Road) and the Union Pacific Railroad use this pass.
The rocks in the Jackson Mountains tell a long story. They include old sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. These were pushed into place by even older igneous rocks. Later, volcanic rocks covered them.
Contents
What are the Tallest Peaks in the Jackson Mountains?
The highest point in the Jackson Mountains is Quinn Peak. It stands tall at 9,085 feet (2,769 meters). Many other peaks also rise high in this range.
- King Lear Peak is 8,842 feet tall.
- Parrot Peak reaches 8,448 feet.
- Navajo Peak is 7,726 feet high.
- Buff Peak stands at 7,425 feet.
- Deer Creek Peak is 7,106 feet tall.
- Sugarloaf Knob is 6,214 feet high.
- White Peak reaches 5,285 feet.
Exploring the Wilderness Areas
Most of the Jackson Mountains are protected as wilderness. These areas are managed by the government. There are two main parts: the North Jackson Mountains Wilderness and the South Jackson Mountains Wilderness. These areas help protect nature and wildlife.
South Jackson Mountains Wilderness: What Can You See?
The South Jackson Wilderness offers amazing views. From the top of King Lear Peak, you can see the vast Black Rock Desert. This peak is 8,442 feet high. The land here has steep sides and sharp ridges. You'll see juniper trees scattered around. This area is known for being very rugged. You might even find old signs of the Red Butte copper mining district nearby.
North Jackson Mountains Wilderness: What Makes it Special?
The North Jackson Mountains Wilderness also has steep, sharp ridges. Juniper trees grow here too. The valleys are shaped like a "V" and are very rocky. The land ranges from 4,000 feet high to Parrot Peak at 8,400 feet. Deep canyons are filled with aspen, willow, and cottonwood trees. Some streams here have small groups of rainbow trout. These fish were brought here by people.
How to Visit and What to Do in the Jackson Mountains
The Jackson Mountains are in Humboldt County. They are about 56 miles west of Winnemucca, Nevada. It's a great place for outdoor activities.
Getting There: Your Route to Adventure
You can reach the mountains from Winnemucca. Take the Jungo Road west for about 35 miles. Then, turn onto Bottle Creek Road. Another way to get there is from Nevada State Route 140. You can take Leonard Creek Road or Bottle Creek Road south. The Trout Creek Road divides the North and South wilderness areas.
Fun Activities in the South Jackson Area
The canyons on the west side of the South Jackson Mountains are perfect for hiking. You can go for a day hike or a longer backpacking trip. McGill, Bliss, and Alaska Canyons are especially beautiful. The eastern slopes are gentler. These are better for horseback riding. You can take amazing photos here. It's also a great spot to watch for wildlife and wild horses. Many people come here to hunt. They look for mule deer, California bighorn sheep, antelope, and game birds.
Adventures in the North Jackson Area
The North Jackson area is great for camping. You can also enjoy day hiking and photography. Watching wildlife and wild horses is popular here too. Deer Creek, Mary Sloan, Happy Creek, and Jackson Creek are scenic streams. Because the area is very rugged, it's best to set up a base camp. Then, you can go on day hikes from there.
