Old Woman Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Woman Mountains |
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The famous Old Woman Meteorite
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 899 m (2,949 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Mojave Desert |
| District | San Bernardino County |
| Range coordinates | 34°27′0″N 115°12′3″W / 34.45000°N 115.20083°W |
| Topo map | USGS Sheep Camp Spring |
The Old Woman Mountains are a mountain range in the Mojave Desert in California. They are located in San Bernardino County, south of the town of Essex. The highest point in the range is Old Woman Mountain, which reaches about 1,623 meters (5,325 feet) high.
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Exploring the Old Woman Mountains
This mountain range stretches for about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from north to south. It is also about 24 kilometers (15 miles) wide at its widest point. The Old Woman Mountains do not get much rain, usually only 10 to 25 centimeters (4 to 10 inches) each year.
One interesting natural feature is the Old Woman Statue. This is a unique rock formation found on the eastern side of the mountains. It is located about 3 kilometers (2 miles) south of Paramount Spring.
Old Woman Mountains Wilderness Area
A large part of the Old Woman Mountains is protected as the Old Woman Mountains Wilderness Area. This special area helps keep the natural environment safe. It also provides a place for people to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and exploring nature.
Plants and Animals of the Mountains
The Old Woman Mountains are home to many different kinds of plants and animals.
Mountain Plants
At lower elevations, you will mostly see Creosote bush scrub. As you go higher up the mountains, you will find juniper and pinyon trees. In the dry riverbeds, called washes, you can spot plants like catclaw acacia, cheesebush, desert lavender, little-leaf ratany, and desert almond.
Mountain Animals
Many animals live in these mountains. You might see large animals like bighorn sheep, mule deer, bobcats, and cougars. Smaller animals include coyotes, black-tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, and kangaroo rats. There are also several types of lizards.
Many raptors, which are birds that hunt, live here too. These include prairie falcons, red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, Cooper's hawks, American kestrels, and different kinds of owls. The canyons and washes are great places for songbirds. The mountains have 24 known springs and seeps, which provide water and help many birds thrive.
History of the Mountains
The Old Woman Mountains are famous for a special discovery. This is where the Old Woman Meteorite was found. It is the largest meteorite ever discovered in California. Today, you can see this amazing meteorite on display at the Desert Information Center in Barstow, California.
