The Chemehuevi Mountains are found at the southeast border of San Bernardino County in southeastern California adjacent the Colorado River. Located south of Needles, California and northwest of the Whipple Mountains, the mountains lie in a north-south direction in general, and are approximately 15 miles in length.

Chemehuevi Mountains
Much of the Chemehuevi's showing Chemehuevi Peak and parts of the Chemehuevi Valley (view approx. north-northwest)
Highest point
Peak	Chemehuevi Peak
Elevation	3,694 ft (1,126 m)
Geography
Chemehuevi Mountains in California[1]
Country	United States
State	California
Regions	Mojave Desert and Lower Colorado River Valley
County	San Bernardino
Settlements	Topock, Arizona, Needles, California and Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Range coordinates	34°37′30.031″N 114°31′32.863″W
Borders on	Sacramento Mountains, Topock Marsh, Topock Gorge, Colorado River, Mohave Mountains, Chemehuevi Wash, Chemehuevi Valley and Whipple Mountains
Topo map	USGS Chemehuevi Peak

Geography

The mountains are located between U.S. Route 95 and the Topock Gorge of the River, just south of Interstate 40. Whale Mountain, at 2,774 feet (846 m), is found at the northern end of the range about five miles east of Lobecks Pass. The Chemehuevi range reaches 3,694 feet (1,126 m) at its highpoint, Chemehuevi Peak, located at the range's extreme southwest, bordering Chemehuevi Valley and Wash, where the valley turns due-east to meet the Colorado River.

Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness

The Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness Area encompasses the rugged, granitic Chemehuevi Mountains. The mountain range is horseshoe-shaped, with the open end facing eastward toward the Colorado River. Contained within the arms of the horseshoe is a large central valley with low rolling hills covered by dense stands of cholla and other cacti, ocotillo, and an occasional agave.

Viewed from the west, the striking light, almost white, granite peaks contrast sharply with the rich green creosote and cactus-covered bajadas. A few miles from the Colorado River, the mountains change dramatically from light-colored granite to dark red and gray volcanic spires and mesas.[2]

See also

• Category:Mountain ranges of the Mojave Desert
• Category:Protected areas of the Mojave Desert
• Category:Flora of the California desert regions

References

• California Road and Recreation Atlas, 2005, pg. 115.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chemehuevi Mountains.

External links

• Official Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness Area website
• BLM Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness Map
• Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness photographs