Quail Mountain (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Quail Mountain |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,816 ft (1,773 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 2,293 ft (699 m) |
| Listing | Hundred Peaks Section |
| Geography | |
| Location | |
| Parent range | Little San Bernardino Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Indian Cove |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Moderate hike class 1 |
Quail Mountain is the tallest mountain inside Joshua Tree National Park. It stands 5,816 feet (1,773 m) high! This mountain is also the highest point in the Little San Bernardino Mountains, which are part of the Mojave Desert in Southern California. It's a special spot where different mountain ranges meet, like the Transverse Ranges and the Peninsular Ranges.
Contents
Hiking to the Top
You can reach Quail Mountain by hiking from many directions. The most common way is to use the California Riding and Hiking Trail. This trail starts from Keys View Road and goes through a 4.5 miles (7.2 km) stretch of open desert to a place called Juniper Flats. From there, you'll hike about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) more across the land to reach the flat top of the mountain. There are no marked trails directly to the very top, so you'll be hiking off-trail for part of the journey. A large pile of rocks, called a cairn, marks the summit.
Best Times to Visit
The best times to hike Quail Mountain are in the fall, winter, and spring.
- Fall (October to December) is usually the safest and most pleasant time to visit.
- Winter can be very cold and windy, so be prepared for chilly weather.
- Spring is also a good time, but you should watch out for rattlesnakes.
- Summer is very hot and not a good time for hiking here.
Remember, there is no water or shade along the hiking routes, so bring plenty of water and sun protection!
Nature on Quail Mountain
Quail Mountain is home to interesting plants and animals, even after some big fires.
Plants and Trees
Before some wildfires, Quail Mountain was covered with many old California juniper trees and Single-leaf Pinyon trees. You could also find Joshua trees and Coastal sage scrub oak plants.
Sadly, several wildfires have burned parts of the mountain, making it look quite bare. However, some Pinyon pines and California junipers survived. These trees are now helping new plants grow back slowly, bringing life back to the mountain.
Animals of the Mountain
If you're lucky, you might spot some amazing animals on Quail Mountain. A few Desert Bighorn Sheep live in the Little San Bernardino Mountains. Seeing one of these beautiful animals or even a whole herd is a very special experience for hikers!
Mountain History
Quail Mountain has seen some important events. Big fires in 1999 and again in 2001 burned over the mountain. These fires left much of the higher plant life gone, and it's still slowly growing back.
You might also find a few pieces of old aircraft wreckage on the mountain. On February 4, 1999, two small planes crashed into the side of the mountain. This happened when the Little San Bernardino Mountains were hidden by clouds.
Images for kids
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Quail Mountain in August 2005
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A Desert Bighorn Sheep on Quail Mountain
