Cedar Mountain Range
Encyclopedia
The Cedar Mountain Range is a short 20 mi (32 km) long, mountain range
in southwest Luna County, New Mexico
just north of the Mexico-United States border with Chihuahua.
The range lies in the northwest Chihuahuan Desert
and the extreme northwest end of the range lies in southeast Grant County
. It is here that the Continental Divide of the Americas crosses the range, turns northwest, then west, and south at the north perimeter of the north-south Playas Valley
. The continental divide continues south into Mexico on the western perimeter of the Playas Valley, through three mountain ranges, the Pyramid
, Animas
, and San Luis Mountains (New Mexico).
that drains the northeast. The water divide
continues through Deer Mountain and heads northwest on a circuitous route around the northern perimeter and water divide of the north Playas Valley.
Three other larger peaks dot the range: the center contains Hat Top Mountain, 5586 feet (1,703 m) at north-center. Old Baldy, at 5473 feet (1,668 m) is adjacent and southeast. The highest peak is at the extreme southeast end of the Cedar Mountain Range, Flying W Mountain, 6217 feet (1,895 m), and located at 31.922041°N 108.094759°W.
, crosses the Big Burro
's, then on a circuitous route after skirting the northeast of the Cedar Mountain Range, it passes across the water divide
of the north Playas Valley
, west of Hachita. It finally enters a series of north-south ranges, including the Animas Mountains
, and travels south into northwest Chihuahua, Mexico.
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New Mexico highpoints
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Cedar Mountain Range
Mountain range
A mountain range is a single, large mass consisting of a succession of mountains or narrowly spaced mountain ridges, with or without peaks, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age; a component part of a mountain system or of a mountain chain...
in southwest Luna County, New Mexico
Luna County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*77.7% White*1.1% Black*1.3% Native American*0.5% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.6% Two or more races*16.8% Other races*61.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
just north of the Mexico-United States border with Chihuahua.
The range lies in the northwest Chihuahuan Desert
Chihuahuan Desert
The Chihuahuan Desert is a desert, and an ecoregion designation, that straddles the U.S.-Mexico border in the central and northern portions of the Mexican Plateau, bordered on the west by the extensive Sierra Madre Occidental range, and overlaying northern portions of the east range, the Sierra...
and the extreme northwest end of the range lies in southeast Grant County
Grant County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*84.9% White*0.9% Black*1.4% Native American*0.4% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.8% Two or more races*9.8% Other races*48.3% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. It is here that the Continental Divide of the Americas crosses the range, turns northwest, then west, and south at the north perimeter of the north-south Playas Valley
Playas Valley
The Playas Valley is a lengthy and narrow 60-mi long, valley located in Hidalgo County, New Mexico in the Bootheel Region; the extreme south of the valley lies in Chihuahua. Playas, NM is located in the northeast...
. The continental divide continues south into Mexico on the western perimeter of the Playas Valley, through three mountain ranges, the Pyramid
Pyramid Mountains
The Pyramid Mountains are a 30 mi long, mountain range in central-east Hidalgo County, New Mexico. The city of Lordsburg is at its northern border, where the range causes Interstate 10 to traverse northeast, then southeast around the range....
, Animas
Animas Mountains
The Animas Mountains are a small mountain range in Hidalgo County, within the "Boot-Heel" region of far southwestern New Mexico, in the United States. They extend north-south for about 30 miles along the Continental Divide, from near the town of Animas to a few miles north of the border with...
, and San Luis Mountains (New Mexico).
Description
The Cedar Mountain Range is a northwest by southeast trending range, and longer, than wide. The northwest end contains Deer Mountain, 5494 feet (1,675 m), with an excursion of the continental divide around the washArroyo (creek)
An arroyo , a Spanish word translated as brook, and also called a wash is usually a dry creek or stream bed—gulch that temporarily or seasonally fills and flows after sufficient rain. Wadi is a similar term in Africa. In Spain, a rambla has a similar meaning to arroyo.-Types and processes:Arroyos...
that drains the northeast. The water divide
Water divide
A drainage divide, water divide, divide or watershed is the line separating neighbouring drainage basins...
continues through Deer Mountain and heads northwest on a circuitous route around the northern perimeter and water divide of the north Playas Valley.
Three other larger peaks dot the range: the center contains Hat Top Mountain, 5586 feet (1,703 m) at north-center. Old Baldy, at 5473 feet (1,668 m) is adjacent and southeast. The highest peak is at the extreme southeast end of the Cedar Mountain Range, Flying W Mountain, 6217 feet (1,895 m), and located at 31.922041°N 108.094759°W.
Continental Divide
The Continental Divide starts to leave the forested mountain regions as it goes southwest from Silver City. It passes from the southern Little Burro MountainsLittle Burro Mountains
The Little Burro Mountains are a short 15 mi long, mountain range located in Grant County, New Mexico. The range lies adjacent to the southeast border of the larger Big Burro Mountains. The Little Burro Mountains are located 8 mi southwest of Silver City...
, crosses the Big Burro
Big Burro Mountains
The Big Burro Mountains are a moderate length 35 mile long, mountain range located in central Grant County, New Mexico. The range's northwest-southeast 'ridgeline' is located 15 mi southwest of Silver City....
's, then on a circuitous route after skirting the northeast of the Cedar Mountain Range, it passes across the water divide
Water divide
A drainage divide, water divide, divide or watershed is the line separating neighbouring drainage basins...
of the north Playas Valley
Playas Valley
The Playas Valley is a lengthy and narrow 60-mi long, valley located in Hidalgo County, New Mexico in the Bootheel Region; the extreme south of the valley lies in Chihuahua. Playas, NM is located in the northeast...
, west of Hachita. It finally enters a series of north-south ranges, including the Animas Mountains
Animas Mountains
The Animas Mountains are a small mountain range in Hidalgo County, within the "Boot-Heel" region of far southwestern New Mexico, in the United States. They extend north-south for about 30 miles along the Continental Divide, from near the town of Animas to a few miles north of the border with...
, and travels south into northwest Chihuahua, Mexico.
External links
Range Highpoint----
New Mexico highpoints
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Cedar Mountain Range