Sherwin Range facts for kids
The Sherwin Range is a group of mountains located in eastern California. It's part of the much larger Sierra Nevada mountain system. People sometimes call these mountains The Sherwins for short. They are found in Mono County, a beautiful area known for its natural scenery.
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Where are the Sherwin Mountains?
The Sherwin Range is right next to the Long Valley Caldera, which is a huge volcanic crater. The mountains stretch from just south of the popular town of Mammoth Lakes. They continue all the way to the Wheeler Crest, which is another part of the Sierra Nevada. So, if you're ever near Mammoth Lakes, you're close to the Sherwins!
These mountains were named after a man named Jim Sherwin. He was a prospector, someone who searched for valuable minerals like gold. Jim Sherwin also built the very first toll road that crossed the Sierra Nevada mountains. A toll road is a road where you have to pay a fee to use it. The eastern end of his road was right near where Mammoth Lakes is today.
Fun Things to Do in the Sherwins
The Sherwin Range is part of the Inyo National Forest. This means it's a protected area where people can enjoy nature. It's a great place for outdoor adventures!
- Summer Fun: When the weather is warm, many people enjoy hiking in the Sherwin Range. Hiking means walking on trails through nature. You can explore different paths and see amazing views.
- Winter Fun: In the winter, when snow covers the mountains, the Sherwins are famous for backcountry skiing. This is a type of skiing where you go off the marked trails and explore untouched snow. It's a bit more adventurous than skiing at a resort!
What are the Sherwins Made Of?
The Sherwin Range has a very interesting history, especially when you look at its rocks!
- Reddish Rocks: Most of the mountains are made of a type of rock called metamorphic rock. These rocks often have a reddish color. Metamorphic rocks are rocks that have changed over a long time due to heat and pressure deep inside the Earth.
- Ancient History: These rocks were formed a very, very long time ago, during the Paleozoic Era. This era was hundreds of millions of years ago, even before dinosaurs roamed the Earth!
- Sierra Nevada Batholith: Later, a huge mass of molten rock, called the Sierra Nevada batholith, pushed its way up from deep underground. This hot, gooey rock caused the older metamorphic rocks of the Sherwin Range to change even more. They were recrystallized and warped, which means their crystals reformed and the rocks got bent and twisted. It's like baking dough – the heat changes its structure!
Famous Spots in the Sherwin Range
The Sherwin Range is home to many tall and beautiful peaks, as well as other cool natural features.
Tall Mountains
Here are some of the most well-known peaks in the Sherwin Range:
- Bloody Mountain
- Laurel Mountain
- Mount Morrison
- Red Slate Mountain (This is the tallest peak in the range!)
- Mount Baldwin
- McGee Mountain
- Mount Morgan
- Mount Huntington
Other Cool Places
- Convict Lake: This is a beautiful lake located within the Sherwin Range. It's a popular spot for fishing and enjoying the scenery.
