Raft River Mountains facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Raft River Mountains
Raft River Mountains from the southeast
Highest point
Peak	Bull Mountain
Elevation	9,925 ft (3,025 m)
Dimensions
Length	40 mi (64 km) E/W
Width	35 mi (56 km) N/S
Area	765 sq mi (1,980 km2)
Geography
Country	United States
State	Utah
Parent range	Basin and Range Province

The Raft River Mountains are a cool mountain range found in northern Utah, in a place called Box Elder County. These mountains are part of the Sawtooth National Forest, which is a big protected area.

The tallest point in this range is Bull Mountain. It stands super tall at 9,925 ft (3,025 m)! You can also find the old ghost town of Yost on the northern side of these mountains.

Water from the northern parts of the Raft River Mountains flows into the Raft River. This river then joins the Snake River, which eventually leads to the mighty Columbia River and finally the Pacific Ocean. On the other hand, water from the southern slopes drains into the famous Great Salt Lake.

Exploring the Raft River Mountains

These mountains are located inside the Sawtooth National Forest. The forest areas here are surrounded by drier lands like steppes and deserts.

The Raft River Mountains stretch from east to west. They are part of a larger area called the Basin and Range Province. This area also includes the Great Basin, which has cool features like the Bonneville Salt Flats.

The Raft River Mountains are on the southeast edge of the Columbia Basin (green). This small part of northwest Utah is also on the edge of the Great Basin Divide. The Great Basin side (tan) of the range used to be part of Lake Bonneville.

Rocks and Geology of the Mountains

The main part of the Raft River Mountains is made of very old Precambrian metamorphic rocks. These rocks have been changed by heat and pressure over millions of years.

You can see a type of rock called Elba Quartzite, mixed with schist, on the southern slopes. Similar rocks are also found in the Grouse Creek Mountains nearby. Another type of quartzite from the Cambrian period (also very old!) is found in the western parts of the range. This quartzite is often used as building stone because it's strong and thinly layered.

Plants and Animals: Flora and Fauna

The Raft River Mountains are home to many different plants and animals. You can find pine trees and various rodents here. These species are typical for the Northern Basin & Range ecoregion, which is part of the larger Columbia Plateau.

Fun Activities and Camping

If you love the outdoors, the Raft River Mountains offer some great activities! The Bull Flat trail is a popular path that leads to Bull Flat, Bull Lake, and Bull Mountain. Along this trail, you might even pass by some old mines. There's also a campground near the start of the trail, perfect for a night under the stars.

Tallest Points: Peaks of the Raft River Mountains

The Raft River Mountains have many peaks, with Bull Mountain being the highest. Here's a list of some of the notable peaks:

Images for kids

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  An old Forest Service Cabin in the Raft River Mountains

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  A road along a snowbank in the Raft River Mountains