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

Owlshead Mountains
Death Valley landmarks
Highest point
Elevation712 m (2,336 ft)
Geography
Owlshead Mountains is located in California
Owlshead Mountains
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

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The range lies in the Mojave Desert, north of the Granite Mountains and the Avawatz Mountains, south of the Black Mountains at the south end 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 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 limited due to their remote location and the long distances required to reach them by hiking. Within the range there are three usually dry playa lake beds – Owl Lake, Lost Lake, and Wingate Lake.

See also

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References

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