Rodman Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rodman Mountains |
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Rodman Mountains Wilderness
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,323 m (4,341 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Mojave Desert |
| District | San Bernardino County |
| Range coordinates | 34°42′N 116°38′W / 34.700°N 116.633°W |
| Topo map | USGS Camp Rock Mine |
The Rodman Mountains are a mountain range found in the Mojave Desert in California, United States. They are located in San Bernardino County, California. You can find them south of Interstate 40 and Newberry Springs. They are also east of the Ord Mountains and northwest of the Bullion Mountains. The mountains are about 30 miles southeast of Barstow, California.
One of the cool cinder cones from the Lavic Lake volcanic field is right here in the Rodman Mountains. A cinder cone is a cone-shaped hill made of volcanic ash and rock. The other three cinder cones in this field are a bit further east, including Pisgah Crater.
Exploring the Rodman Mountains Wilderness
The Rodman Mountains Wilderness is a special natural area. It was created in 1994 by the U.S. Congress. This wilderness covers a huge 34,264 acres! It is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. This area is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. This system helps protect wild places for everyone to enjoy.
The wilderness has many ridges and valleys. These landforms climb from about 2,000 feet to almost 5,000 feet high. They were formed by cracks in the Earth called faults. A long lava flow cuts through the area, creating a sloping flat-topped hill called a mesa.
You'll see colorful cliffs and mountains here. There are also maze-like canyons and wide, gentle slopes called bajadas. These bajadas are formed by sediment carried by water. Steep canyons and cliff-like walls create "dry falls." These are like waterfalls, but they only have water during heavy rainstorms.
More than half a dozen natural water "tanks" are found within the lava flow. These are like natural pools that collect water. Two of these, Hidden Tank and Deep Tank, can hold thousands of gallons of water! This water is very important for all the wildlife living there.
Amazing Wildlife in the Rodman Mountains
The Rodman Mountains Wilderness is a very important place for birds of prey. It is one of only seven main areas where raptors (like eagles and falcons) breed in the Mojave Desert. Prairie falcons and golden eagles are known to live and raise their young here.
The mountains are also part of the historic home range for the Desert Bighorn Sheep. While these sheep haven't been seen in the Rodman Mountains recently, they have been spotted in the nearby Newberry Mountains. Protecting this wilderness helps keep their habitat safe.
