Rand Mountains
Encyclopedia
The Rand Mountains are located in the Mojave Desert
northeast of California City, California
and southwest of the town of Randsburg, California
.
s of Randsburg, Red Mountain, California
, and Johannesburg, California
, now ghost town
s.
. The Scodie Mountains and Sierra Nevada (U.S.) are to the west. The range stretches approximately 15 miles from the Desert Tortoise Natural Area
to the old mining areas of Randsburg.
The principal peaks of the range are Government Peak, at 4,741 feet, and Sidney Peak, at 4,372 feet above sea level. The Rand Mountains receive very little rainfall in a normal year, typically less than seven inches.
Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert occupies a significant portion of southeastern California and smaller parts of central California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona, in the United States...
northeast of California City, California
California City, California
-2000:According to the census of 2000, there were 8,385 people, 3,067 households, and 2,257 families residing in the city. As of 2006 the city's population grew 8.9% from 12,106 to 13,219. California City outpaced rivals Palmdale and Lancaster, making the city the 12th fastest growing city in...
and southwest of the town of Randsburg, California
Randsburg, California
Randsburg is a census-designated place in Kern County, California, United States. Randsburg is located south of Ridgecrest, at an elevation of 3504 feet . The population was 69 at the 2010 census, down from 77 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Randsburg is located at . It is on the west side of U.S...
.
History
The mountains were the location of the Rand Mining District, with the mining townMining town
A mining community, also known as a mining town or a mining camp, is a community that houses miners. Mining communities are usually created around a mine or a quarry for the extraction or smeltering of ore.-United States:...
s of Randsburg, Red Mountain, California
Red Mountain, California
Red Mountain, formerly known as Osdick, is an unincorporated community in San Bernardino County, California, United States.Red Mountain is south-southwest of Trona, part of the mining district of Randsburg, California and Johannesburg, California....
, and Johannesburg, California
Johannesburg, California
Johannesburg is a census-designated place in Kern County, California, in a mining district of the Rand Mountains. Johannesburg is located east-northeast of Randsburg, at an elevation of 3517 feet . The terminus of the Randsburg Railway was here from 1897 to 1933. The population was 172 at the...
, now ghost town
Ghost town
A ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...
s.
Geography
The mountains lie in a southwest-northeasterly direction at the eastern edge of the Fremont ValleyFremont Valley
The Fremont Valley is a valley located in the western Mojave Desert of California.It stretches from the town of Mojave approximately 70 km northeast to the foothills of the Lava Mountains and Summit Range....
. The Scodie Mountains and Sierra Nevada (U.S.) are to the west. The range stretches approximately 15 miles from the Desert Tortoise Natural Area
Desert Tortoise Natural Area
The Desert Tortoise Natural Area is a area northeast of California City, California set aside for the California State Reptile, the Desert Tortoise...
to the old mining areas of Randsburg.
The principal peaks of the range are Government Peak, at 4,741 feet, and Sidney Peak, at 4,372 feet above sea level. The Rand Mountains receive very little rainfall in a normal year, typically less than seven inches.
See also
- Burro Schmidt TunnelBurro Schmidt TunnelThe Burro Schmidt Tunnel, located in Kern County, California near Garlock, is a half-mile long tunnel dug entirely by hand, constructed over a 32-year period by William "Burro" H. Schmidt...
- Category: Mountain ranges of the Mojave Desert