Snake Range

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Snake Range
2013-07-14 09 37 43 Wheeler Peak viewed from Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive in Great Basin National Park.jpg
Wheeler Peak, highest mountain in the Snake Range
Highest point
Peak Wheeler Peak
Elevation 13,063 ft (3,982 m)
Coordinates 38°59′09″N114°18′50″W / 38.98583°N 114.31389°W / 38.98583; -114.31389
Dimensions
Length60 mi (97 km)North-South
Geography
NVMap-doton-SnakeMtns.png
Location of the Snake Range within Nevada
CountryUnited States
StateNevada
Borders onSchell Creek Range and Confusion Range

The Snake Range is a mountain range in White Pine County, Nevada, United States. [1] The south-central portion of the range is included within Great Basin National Park, with most of the remainder included within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The range reaches a maximum elevation of 13,065 feet (3,982 m) at the summit of Wheeler Peak, the tallest independent mountain within Nevada and the second highest point within the state (the highest point being Boundary Peak). [2] The range also contains four of the five highest mountain peaks in Nevada, including all peaks greater than 12,000 feet (3,658 m) except for Boundary Peak. [3]

Contents

Geography

Typical of other ranges in the Basin and Range Province, the Snake Range runs in a north–south direction, for approximately 60 miles (97 km).

To the west are Spring Valley and the Schell Creek Range, and to the east across the Utah border are Snake Valley and the Confusion Range. Sacramento Pass (7,154 feet [2,181 m]) is where U.S. Route 6-50, the "Loneliest Highway in America", crosses the range. It is the principal means of eastbound access to this part of eastern Nevada.

Wheeler Peak and the Snake Range, looking north Wheeler Peak and Snake Range.jpg
Wheeler Peak and the Snake Range, looking north
Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) on 'The Table' BristleConePine.jpg
Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) on 'The Table'

Natural history

Great Basin National Park is located in the southern section of the Snake Range. Established in 1986, it protects the unique geologic and habitat features of the mountain range and Great Basin Desert, and their representations of the Central Basin and Range ecoregion. The southern section also includes the natural rock Lexington Arch (83 feet (25 m) span), and the Lehman Caves, both formed from the range's limestone.

Several large groves of ancient Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) trees thrive in the Great Basin montane forests of the range's higher elevations.

The higher elevations of the Snake Range in the northern section are protected by the Mount Moriah Wilderness Area, and in the southern section by the Highland Ridge Wilderness.

Mt. Moriah and Great Basin Bristlecone Pines, looking southwest from "The Table" MtMoriahNV.jpg
Mt. Moriah and Great Basin Bristlecone Pines, looking southwest from "The Table"
Wheeler Peak and the southern Snake Range at sunset WheelerSunset.JPG
Wheeler Peak and the southern Snake Range at sunset

Peaks

Southern

The Snake Range includes two groups of peaks. The southern section rises quickly from a point near the border with Lincoln County, reaching the summit of Granite Peak (11,218 feet [3,419 m]) just 10 miles (16 km) to the north.

From there northwards the range continues to rise, passing Lincoln Peak (11,597 feet [3,535 m]), Mt. Washington (11,658 feet [3,553 m]), Pyramid Peak (11,926 feet [3,635 m]), Baker Peak (12,298 feet [3,748 m]), and Doso Doyabi (12,775 feet [3,894 m] [4] ).

It finally reaches its apex at Wheeler Peak (13,063 feet [3,982 m]).

Northern

North of Wheeler Peak the range begins to drop, reaching 7,154 feet (2,181 m) at Sacramento Pass, just 11 miles (18 km) to the north. Sacramento Pass is where the more remote northern section of the range begins.

In just 12 miles (19 km) the North Snake Range rises past Silver Creek Canyon and Hendrys Creek Canyon to the summit of photogenic Mt. Moriah (12,067 feet [3,678 m]). To the north of this peak is an unusual formation, a flat plateau of sub-alpine tundra called "The Table", covering about 2 square miles (5.2 km2) at an elevation of 11,000 feet (3,400 m). A grove of ancient Great Basin Bristlecone Pines grows on this plateau near the peak.

North of "The Table" is another unusual geologic feature. Deadman Creek and Smith Creek, draining eastward into Snake Valley, combine to carve a deep canyon into the range. The mouth of this canyon lies below 3,000-foot (910 m) cliffs, 6,000 feet (1,800 m) below and 6 miles (9.7 km) away from the summit of Mt. Moriah.

Metamorphic rocks in Hendry's Creek Canyon in the North Snake Range Hendry's Creek Canyon.jpg
Metamorphic rocks in Hendry's Creek Canyon in the North Snake Range

The North Snake Range is an important geologic feature, containing some of the world's best examples of metamorphic rock and extensional deformation. The range has been designated as only the first 100 geoheritage sites by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). [5] Instead of normal faulting creating basins and ranges, like is seen throughout most of the Great Basin, the North Snake Range metamorphic core complex has undergone ductile deformation so that the metamorphic rocks have been stretched resulting in rocks that are 10% of their original thickness, stretching like taffy. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Basin National Park</span> National park in Nevada, United States

Great Basin National Park is an American national park located in White Pine County in east-central Nevada, near the Utah border, established in 1986. The park is most commonly entered by way of Nevada State Route 488, which is connected to U.S. Routes 6 and 50 by Nevada State Route 487 via the small town of Baker, the closest settlement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Mountains (California)</span> Mountain range in California, United States

The White Mountains of California and Nevada are a triangular fault-block mountain range facing the Sierra Nevada across the upper Owens Valley. They extend for approximately 60 mi (97 km) as a greatly elevated plateau about 20 mi (32 km) wide on the south, narrowing to a point at the north, with elevations generally increasing south to north. The range's broad southern end is near the community of Big Pine, where Westgard Pass and Deep Springs Valley separate it from the Inyo Mountains. The narrow northern end is at Montgomery Pass, where U.S. Route 6 crosses. The Fish Lake Valley lies east of the range; the southeast part of the mountains are separated from the Silver Peak Range by block faulting across the Furnace Creek Fault Zone, forming a feeder valley to Fish Lake Valley. The range lies within the eastern section of the Inyo National Forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Charleston</span> Mountain in Nevada, United States

Mount Charleston, including Charleston Peak at 11,916 feet (3,632 m), is the highest mountain in both the Spring Mountains and Clark County, in Nevada, United States. It is the eighth-highest mountain in the state. Well separated from higher peaks by large, low basins, Charleston Peak is the most topographically prominent peak in Nevada, and the eighth-most-prominent peak in the contiguous United States. It is one of eight ultra-prominent peaks in Nevada. It is located about 35 miles (56 km) northwest of Las Vegas within the Mount Charleston Wilderness, which is within the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area of the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheeler Peak (Nevada)</span> Mountain in Nevada, United States

Wheeler Peak is the tallest mountain in the Snake Range and in White Pine County, in Nevada, United States. The summit elevation of 13,065 feet (3,982 m) makes it the second-highest peak in Nevada, just behind Boundary Peak. With a topographic prominence of 7,563 feet (2,305 m), Wheeler Peak is the most topographically prominent peak in White Pine County and the second-most prominent peak in Nevada, just behind Mount Charleston. The mountain is located in Great Basin National Park and was named for George Wheeler, leader of the Wheeler Survey of the late 19th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruby Mountains</span> Mountain range in Nevada, United States

The Ruby Mountains are a mountain range, primarily located within Elko County with a small extension into White Pine County, in Nevada, United States. Most of the range is included within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The range reaches a maximum elevation of 11,387 feet (3,471 m) on the summit of Ruby Dome. To the north is Secret Pass and the East Humboldt Range, and from there the Rubies run south-southwest for about 80 miles (130 km). To the east lies Ruby Valley, and to the west lie Huntington and Lamoille Valleys. The Ruby Mountains are the only range of an introduced bird, the Himalayan snowcock, in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schell Creek Range</span> Mountain in United States of America

The Schell Creek Range is a linear mountain range in central White Pine County, in east-central Nevada. Its length is approximately 132 miles (212 km) in a north-south direction. Most of the range is contained within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, with some of the range also included in the High Schells Wilderness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telescope Peak</span> Mountain in California, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prometheus (tree)</span> Oldest known non-clonal organism

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Notch Peak</span> Mountain in Utah, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Pine Range</span>

The White Pine Range is a group of mountains in southern White Pine County, in eastern Nevada. The range runs for approximately 51 miles (82 km) from Beck Pass in the north to Currant Pass in the south. To the west of the range are the Duckwater (Shoshone) tribal lands and the northern arm of large Railroad Valley. To the east are Jakes Valley and the northern part of the long White River Valley. To the south are the Horse and Grant Ranges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Moriah (Nevada)</span> Mountain in the American state of Nevada

Mount Moriah is a 12,072-foot (3,680 m) mountain in the northern Snake Range of eastern White Pine County, Nevada, United States. It is the fifth-highest mountain in the state, and ranks as the ninth-most topographically prominent peak in the state. It is located in the Mount Moriah Wilderness administered by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Moriah Wilderness</span> Wilderness area in the American state of Nevada

The Mt. Moriah Wilderness is a 89,790-acre (36,340 ha) wilderness area in the northern part of the Snake Range of White Pine County, in the eastern section of the state of Nevada in the western United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Schell Peak</span> Mountain in Nevada, United States

North Schell Peak is the highest mountain in the Schell Creek Range of White Pine County, Nevada, United States. It is the ninth-highest mountain in the state, and also ranks as the fifth-most topographically prominent peak in the state. The summit is 19 miles (31 km) northeast of the community of Ely within the High Schells Wilderness of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Creek Range</span> Volcanic mountain range in Nevada

The Hot Creek Range is a volcanic mountain range in Nye County, in central Nevada in the western United States. From the historic community of Warm Springs, the range runs north-northeast for approximately 43 miles (69 km).

The Jackson Mountains are a north-northeast trending mountain range in southwestern Humboldt County, Nevada. The range is flanked on the west by the Black Rock Desert and the Black Rock Range beyond. To the north across the Quinn River and Nevada State Route 140 lie the Bilk Creek Mountains. To the northeast across Kings River Valley is the Double Mountains and to the east are the Sleeping Hills. To the southeast and south lie the Eugene and Kamma Mountains. The ghost town of Sulphur lies just southwest of the pass between the Jackson and Kamma ranges. Nevada State Route 49 and the Union Pacific railroad Feather River Route traverse this pass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trout Creek Mountains</span> Mountain in United States of America

The Trout Creek Mountains are a remote, semi-arid Great Basin mountain range mostly in southeastern Oregon and partially in northern Nevada in the United States. The range's highest point is Orevada View Benchmark, 8,506 feet (2,593 m) above sea level, in Nevada. Disaster Peak, elevation 7,781 feet (2,372 m), is another prominent summit in the Nevada portion of the mountains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheeler Peak Glacier</span> Glacier in Nevada, United States

Wheeler Peak Glacier is a glacier situated at the base of Wheeler Peak within Great Basin National Park in the U.S. state of Nevada. It is the only glacier in the state, and one of the southernmost glaciers in the United States. At a height of 13,063 feet (3,982 m), Wheeler Peak is the tallest mountain in the Snake Range and the second tallest mountain in Nevada. The mountain top is also considered to be a horn, a peak carved and shaped by glaciers over a long period of time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount McDuffie</span> Mountain in the state of California

Mount McDuffie is a 13,291-foot-elevation (4,051-meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of central California, United States. This peak is situated in northern Kings Canyon National Park, 1.9 miles (3.1 km) northwest of The Citadel, and two miles south of Black Giant, which is the nearest higher neighbor. McDuffie ranks as the 93rd highest summit in California, and the second-highest point on Black Divide. Topographic relief is significant as it rises nearly 4,900 feet above Le Conte Canyon in approximately 2.5 miles. An approach to this remote peak is made possible via the John Muir Trail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln Peak (Nevada)</span>

Lincoln Peak is an 11,597-foot elevation (3,535 m) mountain summit in White Pine County, Nevada, United States.

References

  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Snake Range
  2. "Wheeler Peak, Nevada". Peakbagger.com.
  3. "Nevada 11,000-foot Peaks". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2014-10-22.
  4. "Doso Doyabi". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  5. "Northern Snake Range metamorphic core complex". IUGS. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  6. Craddock, John Paul; Malone, David Henry; Foreman, Brady; Konstantinou, Alexandros, eds. (2022). Tectonic evolution of the sevier-laramide hinterland, thrust belt, and foreland, and post-orogenic slab rollback (180-20 Ma). Special paper. Boulder, Colorado: The Geological Society of America. ISBN   978-0-8137-9555-3.