Mojave National Preserve

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mojave National Preserve
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)

Location	San Bernardino County, California, USA
Nearest city	Baker, California
Coordinates	34°53′00″N 115°43′00″W / 34.883333, -115.716667
Area	1,534,819 acres (6211.19 km²)
Established	October 31, 1994
Visitors	632,521 (in 2005)
Governing body	National Park Service

Hole-in-the-Wall canyon

The Mojave National Preserve is located in the Mojave Desert in Southern California, USA. It lies between Interstate 15 and Interstate 40. Elevation ranges from 880 to 7492 ft (268 to 2284 m). The preserve was established October 31, 1994.

Natural features include the Kelso Dunes, the Marl Mountains and the Cima Dome, as well as volcanic formations such as Hole-in-the-Wall and the Cinder Cone Lava Beds. The preserve encloses Providence Mountains State Recreation Area and Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve, which are both managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Impressive Joshua Tree forests cover parts of the preserve; one of the forests is the largest in the world[1]. The defunct railroad depot and ghost town of Kelso is also found there. The preserve is commonly traversed by 4 wheel drive vehicles traveling on the historic Mojave Road.

The climate varies greatly. Summer temperatures average 90 °F (32 °C), with highs exceeding 105 °F (41 °C). Elevations in the Preserve range from 7,929 feet at Clark Mountain to 880 feet near Baker. Annual precipitation varies from 3.37 in (86 mm) near Baker, to almost 9 in (230 mm) in the mountains. At least 25% of precipitation comes from summer thunderstorms. Snow is often found in the mountains during the winter.