Chehalem Mountains

Last updated
Chehalem Range
Bald Peak looking southeast.JPG
Southeast from Bald Peak.
Highest point
PeakBald Peak
Elevation 1,629 ft (497 m)
Coordinates 45°23′46″N123°03′18″W / 45.39611°N 123.05500°W / 45.39611; -123.05500 Coordinates: 45°23′46″N123°03′18″W / 45.39611°N 123.05500°W / 45.39611; -123.05500
Geography
Country United States
State Oregon
Borders on Oregon Coast Range

The Chehalem Mountains are a mountain range located in the Willamette Valley in the U.S. state of Oregon. Forming the southern boundary of the Tualatin Valley, the Chehalems are the highest mountains in the Willamette Valley. [1] The range extends from the Willamette River east of Newberg northwest to the foothills of the Oregon Coast Range south of Forest Grove.

Contents

Toponymy

The word "Chehalem" is a corruption of the Atfalati Indian word "Chahelim," a name given in 1877 to one of the bands of Atfalati. [2]

Geography

Composed of a single land mass that was uplifted by tectonic forces, the mountain range includes several spurs and ridges such as Parrett Mountain, Ribbon Ridge, and Bald Peak. [3]

The highest peak in the Chehalem Mountain Range is Bald Peak, rising to 1,629 feet (497 m), [2] which is also the highest peak point within the Willamette Valley. [3]

Chehalem Mountains AVA

The Chehalem Mountains AVA has been a designated American Viticultural Area since 2006. [3] [4]

See also

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Chehalem may refer to:

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Laurelwood District is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located west of the city of Portland and lies entirely within the northern end of Willamette Valley AVA with the Chehalem Mountains AVA covering its northern slopes including the towns of Cornelius, Scholls and Sherwood in Washington County. The district was established on May 13, 2020, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Its coverage is approximately 33,600 acres (13,597 ha) and contains 25 wineries and approximately 70 commercially-producing vineyards that plant approximately 975 acres (395 ha). The distinguishing feature of the Laurelwood District is the predominance of the Laurelwood soil that predominates in the area. The district contains the highest concentration of the namesake soil in Oregon.

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References

  1. McArthur, Lewis A. (1952) [1928]. Oregon geographic names (3rd ed.). Binsfords & Mort for the Oregon Historical Society. p. 123. ISBN   1111097747. Hardcover Enlarged.
  2. 1 2 McArthur, Lewis A.; Lewis L. McArthur (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (Seventh ed.). Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press. ISBN   0-87595-277-1. (trade paperback), (hardcover).
  3. 1 2 3 Chehalem Mountains now official wine area. Portland Business Journal , December 27, 2006.
  4. "§ 9.205 Chehalem Mountains" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved January 29, 2008.