Indian Wells Valley is an arid north–south basin in east-central California . In the geologic sense, it is a southern extension of Owens Valley to the north, with the recent volcanics of the Coso Range being the separator. It is defined by a major fault on the west side of the valley. Unlike Owens Valley, it is bound by a fault to the south, the Garlock Fault (within the El Paso Mountains). The valley is part of California's South Lahontan hydrologic region .
6-668: Owens Peak , located west of the Indian Wells Valley, overlooks the basin from the west at 8,452 feet, making it the tallest peak in the southern Sierra Nevada range. Other mountain ranges surrounding the valley include the Argus Range in the east, the Coso Range in the north, and the El Paso Mountains in the south. The Indian Wells Valley is shared by three separate counties; Inyo County encompassing
12-509: A perennial lake and namesake for the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and unincorporated community China Lake , is located in the northeastern segment of the valley. The valley's largest and only incorporated community is Ridgecrest . Other unincorporated communities include Inyokern , Pearsonville , China Lake Acres , China Lake, Ridgecrest Heights , and Indian Wells . Indian Wells Valley contains
18-502: Is located in Kern County , about 12 miles (19 km) west-northwest of Inyokern and 159 miles (256 km) north of Los Angeles . Owens Peak is named after Richard Owens (1812–1902), an Ohio -born explorer (aka "Owings"), who accompanied John C. Frémont on his third expedition to California (1845–1846). Frémontalso named a valley, river and lake for Owens, whom he considered "cool, brave and of good judgment". Owens served as
24-705: The center of the Owens Peak Wilderness , which was designated by the United States Congress in 1994, and it now has a total of 74,060 acres (299.7 km ). The eastern watershed of Owens Peak is composed of three main canyons: Grapevine Canyon, Short Canyon, and Indian Wells Canyon (north to south, respectively). The Sierra Nevada meets the Great Basin and the Mojave Desert here, creating an unusual ecosystem . Owens Peak
30-410: The north, Kern County making up the south-central and western part of the valley, and San Bernardino County making up the remaining eastern segment. It lies within the 760 and 442 area code zone. Indian Wells Valley is traversed by California State Route 14, California State Route 178, and US Highway 395. The valley varies in elevation from as low as 2,150 feet to as high as 2,400 feet. China Lake,
36-496: The second largest population base in Kern County with a population of 34,837 (per 2010 census ). Indian Wells Valley is located in the northwesternmost part of the Mojave Desert plant community and ecoregion , receiving just 4-6 inches of precipitation a year. Owens Peak Owens Peak is the highest point in the southern Sierra Nevada , at more than 8,400 feet (2,600 m) above sea level. The peak stands near
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