Mormon Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mormon Mountains |
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Mormon Mountains
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Mormon Peak |
| Elevation | 2,260 m (7,410 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Location in Nevada
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| Region | Great Basin section |
| District | Lincoln County and Clark County |
| Range coordinates | 36°56′53″N 114°27′37″W / 36.94806°N 114.46028°W |
| Topo map | USGS Moapa Peak NW |
The Mormon Mountains are a mountain range in Nevada, a state in the western United States. They are found in Lincoln and Clark counties. These mountains are about 16 to 28 miles (26 to 45 km) northwest of Mesquite. You can see them from I–15 in the Virgin Valley.
The tallest point in this range is Mormon Peak. It stands 7,414 feet (2,260 meters) above sea level. East of the Mormon Mountains, there is a smaller range called the East Mormon Mountains. The name "Mormon Mountains" comes from the fact that some of the first settlers in the area were Mormons.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) looks after these mountains. They cover an area of about 175 square miles (450 square kilometers).
Animals and Plants of the Mormon Mountains
The Mormon Mountains are home to many different kinds of animals. You can find several types of lizards here. There are also ground snakes, toads, and bullfrogs living in the region.
The lower parts of the mountains are mostly covered in shrublands. These are areas with many small bushes and shrubs. As you go higher up the mountains, you will see different plants. Here, you can find "pygmy conifers" and single-leaf pinyon pines. These trees are part of a special Pinyon-juniper woodland plant community.
The area gets very little rain. On average, it receives less than 15 inches (38 cm) of rain each year. This low rainfall affects what kinds of plants and animals can live here.
Protecting the Mormon Mountains Wilderness
In 2004, a special law was passed to protect a large part of the Mormon Mountains. This law is called the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act. It made about 157,716 acres (63,829 hectares) of the area a "wilderness" region.
A wilderness area is a place that is kept wild and natural. It means there are no roads, buildings, or other human changes. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) helps manage this wilderness. Their office in Ely oversees the protection of this special natural space.
