Mojave National Preserve

The Mojave National Preserve is located in the Mojave Desert in Southern California, USA. It lies between Interstate 15 and Interstate 40. Elevation ranges from . The preserve was established October 31, 1994.

Natural features include the Kelso Dunes, the Marl Mountains and the Cima Dome, as well as volcanic formations such as Hole-in-the-Wall and the Cinder Cone Lava Beds. The preserve encloses Providence Mountains State Recreation Area and Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve, which are both managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Impressive Joshua Tree forests cover parts of the preserve; one of the forests is the largest in the world. The defunct railroad depot and ghost town of Kelso is also found there. The preserve is commonly traversed by 4 wheel drive vehicles traveling on the historic Mojave Road.

The climate varies greatly. Summer temperatures average , with highs exceeding . Elevations in the Preserve range from at Clark Mountain to near Baker. Annual precipitation varies from near Baker, to almost in the mountains. At least 25% of precipitation comes from summer thunderstorms. Snow is often found in the mountains during the winter.

Cross

On May 14, 2008, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied a Justice Department petition to rehear en banc its September 2007 decision striking down a congressionally mandated land exchange to save a eight-foot metal cross that is bolted onto rocks on a rise in the Preserve. The court found the land exchange to be a transparent "attempt by the government to evade the permanent injunction enjoining the display of the Latin cross" on federal land.

See also

• Mojave phone booth
• Mojave Road

References

Sources and external links

• National Park Service, Mojave National Preserve
• Photo tour of Mojave National Preserve, from USGS
• Mojave National Preserve travel guide from Wikitravel