Clark Mountain Range

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Clark Mountain Range is located in eastern California, north of Interstate 15 and the community of Mountain Pass. The ranges stretches approximately 15 miles in a southwest-northeasterly direction, beginning in the Mojave National Preserve, and ending near Stateline Pass, about one mile from the Nevada border. Clark Mountain, at 7,929 feet above sea level, is the principal peak of the range. The foothills of the range are in creosote scrub and Joshua tree forests, which adjoin the dense Joshua tree woodlands atop Cima Dome. Higher up, pinyon pine and juniper grow in the "sky island" which occasional rains create above 6000 feet. The north side of the crest contains a small forest of white fir trees, which is extremely difficult to reach. Clark Mountain is one of three mountain areas where these rare trees persist; Kingston and New York Mountains are the other two areas where the Rocky Mountain white fir can be found in California.α The small town of Mountain Pass, CA, is located at the foot of the range. The Moly Mine Corporation mines rare elements from the mountain, including radium, cadmium and other metals. Attempts to transport the mine waste out of the area have resulted in several toxic spills. The range contains Keany Pass and the Umberei Mine. For the mountain range in Yosemite National Park with the same name, see Clark Range.

[edit] References

• California Road and Recreation Atlas, 2005, pg.97

Zdon, Andy. Desert Summits. Spotted Dog Press: Bishop, CA, 2000.