Owlshead Mountains

Summary

The Owlshead Mountains are located at the southern end of Death Valley National Park near the border of the Fort Irwin Military Reservation in San Bernardino County, California, US.

Owlshead Mountains
Death Valley landmarks
Highest point
Elevation712 m (2,336 ft)
Geography
Owlshead Mountains is located in California
Owlshead Mountains
location of Owlshead Mountains in California[1]
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
DistrictSan Bernardino County
Range coordinates35°43′45″N 116°44′14″W / 35.72917°N 116.73722°W / 35.72917; -116.73722
Topo mapUSGS Owl Lake

Geography edit

The range lies in the Mojave Desert, north of the Granite Mountains and the Avawatz Mountains, south of the Black Mountains forming the bottom of Death Valley. The Greenwater Range is to the northeast, the Slate Range is west, and the Kingston Range east.

The mean annual precipitation in the range is five inches or less. The Owlshead Mountains are arranged in a semi-circular pattern, with the Amargosa River lying to the north.

The Owlshead Mountains are primarily known for the scenic canyons found within the range that are made up of Decomposed granite. Some of the most well known canyons include Wingate Slot Canyon, Slickenside Canyon, Talc Canyon, Owlshead Canyon, Contact Canyon, Granite Canyon, Through Canyon, Smoke Tree Canyon, Passage Canyon, Sand Canyon, and Sagenite Canyon. Visitation to these canyons is somewhat limited due to the remote location of the Owlshead Mountains and the long distances required to reach the canyons by hiking. Within the range there are three usually dry playa lake beds – Owl Lake, Lost Lake, and Wingate Lake.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Owlshead Mountains". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2009-05-04.

External links edit

  • TopoZone: Owlshead Mountains interactive map and more (USGS)