The Mopah Range is a desert mountain range, in the Lower Colorado River Valley region, in southeastern San Bernardino County , California .
31-616: The Mopah Range are located directly adjacent to and linked with the larger Turtle Mountains Range. They are in the northern Colorado Desert region of the Sonoran Desert , and the southern reach of Mojave Desert . The Colorado River and Whipple Mountains are to the east, and the Iron Mountains to the west. Vidal Junction, California is to the southeast, and the Colorado River Aqueduct passes to
62-539: A registered National Natural Landmark in recognition of their exceptional natural values. The Turtle Mountains are one of several ranges that constitute the Maria Fold and Thrust Belt . The Maria Fold and Thrust Belt underwent generally thick-skinned (involving basement rocks ) North-South trending crustal shortening in the Cretaceous , followed by generally east–west trending large-scale crustal extension in
93-631: Is a city in San Bernardino County, California . It serves as one of the entry points to Joshua Tree National Park . Native American tribes such as the Serrano , Chemehuevi , and Cahuilla lived in the area. Colonel Henry Washington made the first recorded exploration of Twentynine Palms. He found Native Americans from the Chemehuevi tribe who lived in the surrounding hills and near the spring they called "Mar-rah". Twentynine Palms
124-775: Is located in the Mojave Desert in Southern California . It lies on the northern side of the Joshua Tree National Park and includes one of the entrances to the park, at the Oasis of Mara. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 59.1 square miles (153 km ), all land. The city is at an elevation of 1,988 feet (606 m). The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
155-578: Is located there. Due in large part to its elevation of more than 1,900 ft (580 m) above sea level, Twentynine Palms has a slightly cooler climate, especially during winter, than Palm Springs , but with essentially the same subtropical desert characteristics. On average, temperatures reach 100 °F (38 °C) on 89 days, 90 °F (32 °C) on 154 days, and the freezing mark on 17 nights annually. Extremes range from 10 °F (−12 °C) on December 23, 1990, to 118 °F (48 °C) on July 11, 1961. Winters are moderately cool, with highs in
186-548: Is published bi-monthly. There are two TV stations: K15FC-D ( KESQ-TV (ABC), KPSP (CBS), KDFX (Fox), KCWQ-LD (CW) and KUNA-LD (Telemundo) subchannels) and KPSE-LD (My Network) 29 (also KMIR-TV (NBC), ION , MeTV and Movies! subchannels) from the Riverside County , California TV market, but the area is actually part of the Palm Springs TV market. KEXV and KPLM are low power TV stations for
217-649: The 19th Senate District , represented by Democrat Monique Limón , and in the 34th Assembly District , represented by Republican Tom Lackey . In the United States House of Representatives , Twentynine Palms is in California's 23rd congressional district , represented by Republican Jay Obernolte . The Desert Trail newspaper in Yucca Valley is published weekly. The Sun Runner Magazine of California Desert Life and Culture
248-732: The Miocene . This North-South shortening is anomalous, as crustal shortening in the rest of the North American Cordillera is oriented generally east–west because of the generally east–west compression that was due to the subduction of the Farallon plate under western North America. Also unlike the rest of the North American Cordillera, deformation in the Maria Fold and Thrust Belt involved rocks of
279-524: The Mojave Desert ( High Desert ) and Colorado Desert region of the Sonoran Desert ( Low Desert ) and therefore contains a high diversity of plant and animal species. The Turtle Mountain range is a northern or southern 'delimiter of occurrence' for some species; for example the endangered California fan palm ( Washingtonia filifera ) encounters the northern limit of its range in the Mopah-Turtle Mountains. Dominant vegetation in
310-567: The Mojave language ), are located in northeastern San Bernardino County , in the southeastern part of California . The colorful Turtle Mountains vary from deep reds, browns, tans and grays, to black. The area has numerous springs and seeps. The Turtle Mountains are also a National Natural Landmark , with two mountain sections of entirely different composition. The Turtle Mountains are 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Needles, California , west off of U.S. Highway 95 ; with Vidal Junction close on
341-780: The North American Craton , most notably the Grand Canyon sequence of sedimentary rocks. Established in 1994 by the U.S. Congress, the Turtle Mountains Wilderness ranges from broad bajadas to highly eroded volcanic peaks, spires, and cliffs. The 177,309 acre wilderness area is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and is bordered by the Stepladder Mountains Wilderness to the north. The Turtle Mountains are located in an ecological transition zone between
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#1732802581643372-503: The desert tortoise and several species of lizards . Hiking , horseback riding , camping , rock hounding, photography, and backpacking can be enjoyed in this wilderness. The area is popular with rock hounding hobbyists and is nationally known for chalcedony specimens in a form known as "Mopah roses". The natural palm oases of Coffin, Mopah, and Mohawk Springs, are popular hiking destinations. Twentynine Palms, California Twentynine Palms (also known as 29 Palms )
403-492: The desert tortoise and several species of lizards . Hiking , horseback riding , camping , rock hounding, photography, and backpacking can be enjoyed in this wilderness. The area is popular with rock hounding hobbyists and is nationally known for chalcedony specimens in a form known as "Mopah roses". Coffin, Mopah, and Mohawk Springs, natural palm oases , are popular hiking destinations. Turtle Mountains (California) The Turtle Mountains (Amat 'Achii'ar in
434-962: The endangered California fan palm ( Washingtonia filifera ) encounters the northern limit of its range in the Mopah- Turtle Mountains . Dominate vegetation in the Turtle Mountains Wilderness Area consists of the creosote bush-bur sage with creosote bush ( Larrea tridentata ) and the palo verde-cactus shrub ecosystems with the palo verde tree ( Parkinsonia microphylla ). In the washes, Colorado/Sonoran microphylla woodlands can be found. These woodlands include such things as smoke tree ( Psorothamnus spinosus ), honey mesquite ( Prosopis velutina ), and catclaw ( Acacia greggii ). Wildlife species include desert bighorn sheep , coyote, black-tailed jackrabbits , ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, quail, roadrunners , golden eagles , prairie falcons , rattlesnakes ,
465-566: The poverty line . At the 2000 census there were 14,764 people in 5,653 households, including 3,855 families, in the city. The population density was 269.3 inhabitants per square mile (104.0 inhabitants/km ). There were 6,952 housing units at an average density of 126.8 units per square mile (49.0 units/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 71% White, 9.4% African American, 1.5% Native American, 3.8% Asian, 10.2% Pacific Islander, 6.2% from other races, and 6.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 14.9%. Of
496-511: The 5,653 households 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 25.1% of households were one person and 7.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.1. The age distribution was 31.2% under the age of 18, 15.2% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% 65 or older. The median age
527-422: The 60s °F and lows in the 40s °F. Summers are hot, with high temperatures above 100 °F (38 °C). The wettest month is August, with 0.65 in (17 mm) inches of rain, mostly from monsoon thunderstorms. The city has a series of 26 outdoor murals painted on local buildings featuring various aspects of desert life and history. The 29 Palms Historical Society, housed in the original schoolhouse of
558-632: The Turtle Mountains Wilderness Area consists of the creosote bush-bur sage with creosote bush ( Larrea tridentata ) and the palo verde-cactus shrub ecosystems with the palo verde tree ( Parkinsonia microphylla ). In the washes, Colorado/Sonoran microphylla woodlands can be found. These woodlands include such things as smoke tree ( Psorothamnus spinosus ), honey mesquite ( Prosopis velutina ), and catclaw ( Acacia greggii ). Wildlife species include desert bighorn sheep , coyote, black-tailed jackrabbits , ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, quail, roadrunners , golden eagles , prairie falcons , rattlesnakes ,
589-484: The city set in place rules governing vacation rentals, and has granted approximately one hundred permits, compared to over one thousand in the nearby community of Joshua Tree. The city uses a council-manager form of government. An elected city council establishes policy and appoints a city manager who executes these policies. In the California State Legislature , Twentynine Palms is in
620-399: The city, maintains a museum devoted to local history. The Historical Society also hosts an annual "Weed Show" each November devoted to art work composed of weeds . The Twentynine Palms Artists ' Guild maintains exhibits devoted to local artists. The Oasis of Mara, the original source of water and the historic source of all economic activity in the area, is divided into two parts. To
651-698: The east, a long strip of palm trees terminates at the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor's Center, which is visited by approximately 140,000 people every year, and is maintained by the United States National Park Service . To the west, the remainder of the oasis is owned by the 29 Palms Inn, a historic hotel, and ends in a large shaded pond. The current economy depends largely on the nearby Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center , as well as tourism associated with Joshua Tree National Park. In February 2015,
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#1732802581643682-404: The greater Lower Colorado River Valley region. The Mopah Range is located in an ecological transition zone between the Mojave Desert ( High Desert ) and Colorado Desert region of the Sonoran Desert ( Low Desert ) and therefore contains a high diversity of plant and animal species. The Turtle Mountain range is a northern or southern 'delimiter of occurrence' for some species; for example
713-551: The occupied units 2,742 (33.9%) were owner-occupied and 5,353 (66.1%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 9.2%. 6,876 people (27.5% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 14,825 people (59.2%) lived in rental housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 71.6% White (60.8% non-Hispanic), 8.2% African American, 1.3% Native American, 3.9% Asian, 1.4% Pacific Islander, 6.7% from other races, and 6.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 20.8% of
744-627: The population. The census reported that 21,701 people (86.6% of the population) lived in households, and 3,347 (13.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters. Of the 8,095 households 43.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 54.5% were opposite-sex married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present. There were 5% unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 1.6% same-sex married couples or partnerships . 21.1% of households were one person and 5.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size
775-528: The south of Twentynine Palms, was designated a national monument in 1936, and became a national park in 1994. The nearby Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms was founded in 1952. Its population as of July 1, 2013, was estimated at 25,768. At the 2010 census , there were 25,048 people in 8,095 households, including 5,847 families, in the city. The population density was 423.5 inhabitants per square mile (163.5/km ). There were 9,431 housing units at an average density of 159.5 per square mile, of
806-404: The south. The Mopah Range is part of the Turtle Mountains Wilderness Area. The Mopahs include broad bajadas to highly eroded volcanic peaks, spires, and cliffs. The Mopah Range contains the two signature Mopah Peaks, which are rhyodactic or volcanic plugs . The northernmost peak is a landmark known as Mexican Hat. The area has numerous springs and seeps . The Mopahs are considered part of
837-664: The southeast, Twentynine Palms to the west, and Blythe is south. The Turtle Mountains are considered part of the greater Lower Colorado River Valley region. The range is directly west of and connected with the Mopah Range . They lie in a north–south direction east of Ward Valley and the Old Woman Mountains . They are west of the Whipple Mountains and Colorado River . The Turtle Mountains reach an elevation of 1310+ meters (4297.9+ feet). They are
868-577: The town and Yucca Valley. KVMD is licensed in Twentynine Palms and serves all of Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. There is one AM station: KNWH a transmitter of KNWQ -1140 "KNews" Radio – Twentynine Palms ( Inland Empire , California and Coachella Valley radio markets) CA US news/talk. There are seven commercial and two public FM stations: Low power FM translators: Local stations: On April 22, 1945, The Jack Benny Program
899-422: Was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.1. The age distribution was 25.6% under the age of 18, 30% aged 18 to 24, 25.5% aged 25 to 44, 13.1% aged 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 or older. The median age was 23.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 129 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 139.9 males. The median household income was $ 42,572. About 14.4% of the population were living below
930-484: Was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males. The median household income was $ 31,178 and the median family income was $ 32,251. Males had a median income of $ 25,081 versus $ 25,141 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 14,613. About 13.6% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 10% of those age 65 or over. The city
961-647: Was named for the palm trees found there in 1852 by Col. Henry Washington while surveying the San Bernardino base line . A post office was established in 1927. A road named Utah Trail honors the late 1800s pioneers on a trail originating in Utah (reportedly Saint George) that went to Twentynine Palms. Nearby is a small Indian reservation belonging to the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians . Joshua Tree National Park , which lies just to