Newfoundland Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newfoundland Mountains |
|
|---|---|
Aerial view from the south
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Desert Peak ((central-north)-Newfoundland Mountains) |
| Elevation | 7,005 ft (2,135 m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 20 mi (32 km) N-S |
| Width | 3 mi (4.8 km) (5-mi wide, NE section, (Desert Peak at south)) |
| Geography | |
 Location in Utah
|
|
| Country | United States |
| Communities | Lakeside, Hogup and Lucin |
| Range coordinates | 41°11′10″N 113°22′04″W / 41.18611°N 113.36778°W |
The Newfoundland Mountains are a mountain range in Box Elder County, Utah, United States. This range is about 20 miles (32 km) long. It is unique because it is the only mountain range completely surrounded by the Great Salt Lake Desert's salt flats. Other mountains, like Granite Mountain and Wildcat Mountain, also stand alone in the desert.
Contents
Exploring the Newfoundland Mountains
The Newfoundland Mountains have a curved, crescent shape. For most of their length, they are only about 3 miles (5 km) wide. The closest mountains are the Hogup Mountains, which are about 6 miles (10 km) to the northeast.
The northern part of the range is wider. The highest point, called Desert Peak, is located in this northern section. The mountains generally get lower in height as you go south. Desert Peak stands at 7,005 feet (2,135 meters) tall.
The very southern tip of the Newfoundland Mountains is part of the Utah Test and Training Range. This is a special area used for military training.
Neighboring Mountain Ranges
The Newfoundland Mountains are surrounded by the vast Great Salt Lake Desert. Many other mountain ranges are found around the edges of this desert. These include the Pilot Range, Silver Island Range, Deep Creek Range, Fish Springs Range, Dugway Range, Cedar Mountains, Grassy Mountains, Lakeside Mountains, Hogup Mountains, and Grouse Creek Mountains.
How to Reach the Mountains
Getting to the Newfoundland Mountains can be a bit of an adventure, as they are quite isolated.
Access from the North and East
The easiest way to reach the range is from the north, near the Hogup Mountains. A Union Pacific Railroad train route crosses the desert about 2 miles (3 km) north of the mountains. An unpaved road runs alongside this train track.
You can also get to the north part of the range from towns like Lakeside and Hogup. These towns are about 10 miles (16 km) east of the mountains.
Access from the West
If you are coming from Lucin to the west, the unpaved road along the Union Pacific Railroad is about 32 miles (51 km) long.
Driving Around the Mountains
There is an unpaved road that goes all the way around the base of the Newfoundland Mountains. This loop road is more than 40 miles (64 km) long. Remember, the southernmost 2.5 miles (4 km) of the range are inside the Utah Test and Training Range, so access there might be restricted.
