Tecate Divide facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tecate Divide |
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Elevation | 4,239 feet (1,292 m) |
Location | San Diego County, California |
Range | Cuyamaca Mountains |
The Tecate Divide is a mountain ridge in southeastern San Diego County, California. It runs from north to south on the edge of the Cuyamaca Mountains. This ridge reaches a height of 4,239 feet (1,292 m).
It sits between the towns of Live Oak Springs to the west and Boulevard, California to the east. Water on the west side of the divide flows toward the Pacific Ocean. Water on the east side flows toward the desert.
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The Tecate Divide: A Mountain Ridge
The Tecate Divide is a natural high point, like a big bump on the land. It's part of the Cuyamaca Mountains in sunny Southern California. Think of it as a natural wall that separates different areas.
Where is the Tecate Divide?
You can find this mountain ridge in the southeastern part of San Diego County, California. It's located near the towns of Live Oak Springs and Boulevard. It's a pretty high spot, reaching over 4,200 feet above sea level!
A Special Place for Water
One cool thing about the Tecate Divide is how it affects water. It acts like a giant natural split.
- If rain falls on the west side of the divide, that water will eventually flow all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
- But if rain falls on the east side, the water heads in a different direction. It flows toward the dry desert areas instead. This is called a "watershed divide."
Crossing the Divide
The Tecate Divide is an important spot for travelers. A major road, Interstate 8, crosses right over it. At this crossing point, the highway is about 4,140 feet (1,260 m) high.
The Tecate Divide is also known as a "highway summit" on Interstate 8. This means it's one of the highest points the highway reaches as it goes through the Cuyamaca Mountains. It's one of several high points you'd cross if you were driving east from San Diego.
What's in a Name?
The name "Tecate" is used for many places in this area. You'll find it in southeastern San Diego County and even across the border in Mexico. The most famous place with this name is the city of Tecate.
See It Yourself
Want to see what the Tecate Divide looks like? You can explore it with this online view:
- Google Street View of Tecate Divide