Palomar Mountain Range
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
| Palomar Mountain Range | |
|---|---|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Range coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
The Palomar Mountain Range is a higher elevation mountain range of the Peninsular Ranges System, located in northern San Diego County, Southern California.
The name, which means pigeon roost in Spanish, was given to it due to the prevalence of band-tailed pigeons.[1]
Geography
The peaks are about 3,000 to 6,000 feet (914 to 1,829 m) above sea level, and include:
- 'High Point' being the pinnacle of the range at 6,140 feet (1,871 m).[2]
- Birch Hill (5,710 ft or 1,740 m)
- Boucher Hill (5,436 ft or 1,657 m).
- Palomar Mountain
Natural history
The upper elevations of the Palomar Mountain Range have notably different habitats than its lower elevation foothills. The lower regions are in the California montane chaparral and woodlands sub-ecoregion, adapted to the xeric/dry Mediterranean climate with chaparral and woodlands flora. The higher regions are in the California mixed evergreen forest sub-ecoregion, with California black oaks, closed-cone pines, firs, and other California oaks and conifers.[3] Higher elevations receive considerably more moisture than the coastal and inland valley lower slopes, with 30–60 in (76–152 cm) of precipitation.[4] They can also receive snow from winter storms.[3]
Features
- Palomar Observatory
The Palomar Observatory was completed on the summit of Palomar Mountain in 1936. The peak's high elevation, and remoteness from light pollution then, allowed for excellent astronomy and star viewing.
- Palomar Mountain State Park
The Palomar Mountain State Park protects much of the range's native plant and animal habitat that is located on Palomar Mountain. It also provides recreation activities, such as hiking and camping. The higher areas in the park serve as a cooler natural retreat from the hot summers of Southern California.
See also
References
External links
|
