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Little Chuckwalla Mountains facts for kids

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Little Chuckwalla Mountains
Little Chuckwalla Mountains is located in California
Little Chuckwalla Mountains
Location in California
Highest point
Elevation 6,191 ft (1,887 m)
Geography
Country United States
State California
District southeastern Riverside County
Range coordinates 33°29′44″N 114°59′10″W / 33.49556°N 114.98611°W / 33.49556; -114.98611
Topo map USGS Hopkins Well, Wiley Well, Little Chuckwalla Mtns, and East of Aztec Mines 7.5 Minute Quads

The Little Chuckwalla Mountains are a mountain range in southeastern Riverside County, California. These mountains are found in a desert area. They are located southeast of the Chuckwalla Mountains. You can find them north of the Chocolate Mountains and also north of I-10.

Exploring the Little Chuckwalla Mountains

A special part of these mountains is called the Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness. The U.S. Congress created this wilderness area in 1994. It covers a huge space of 28,052 acres. The Bureau of Land Management takes care of this land. This wilderness protects the dry and rugged mountain range. The mountains here can reach up to 2,100 feet (640 meters) high.

What is a Wilderness Area?

A wilderness area is a special place. It is kept wild and natural. People are not allowed to build roads or buildings there. This helps protect the plants and animals that live there. It also lets people enjoy nature in its purest form. These areas are important for keeping our planet healthy.

Animals of the Desert Mountains

The Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness is home to many animals. Two important animals living here are the desert bighorn sheep and the desert tortoise.

  • Desert bighorn sheep are wild sheep. They have big, curved horns. They are very good at climbing rocky mountains.
  • The desert tortoise is a type of turtle. It lives in dry desert areas. It digs burrows to stay cool in the heat.

Plants That Thrive Here

Even though it's a desert, many plants grow in these mountains. They have special ways to survive with little water. Some plants you might see include:

  • California snakeweed: This plant has small, yellow flowers. It is common in dry areas.
  • Alverson's foxtail cactus: This cactus has a unique shape. It looks a bit like a fox's tail.
  • The barrel cactus: This cactus is round and tall. It can store a lot of water.
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