Sweetwater Mountains

The Sweetwater Mountains are the second largest range in the State east of the Sierra Nevada and are unique in supporting a Nevadan-Great Basin biota in proximity to the Sierra.

A pinyon woodland, with Pinus monophylla the dominant and often the only tree, is found on the lower slopes. Great Basin sagebrush scrub, with Artemisia tridentata conspicuous, forms the understory in much of this area. In the higher elevations there is a limber pine, Pinus flexilis, forest which, on the eastern slopes, often is mixed with white fir, Abies concolor. On the higher western slopes whitebark pine, Pinus albicaulis, occurs with mountain hemlock, Tsuga mertensiana.

There are relatively extensive alpine areas with such species as Ericameria suffruticosus, Ipomopsis congesta, Ivesia gordonii, and Carex subnigricans. Stands of quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides, are found in some of the moist places.

Animal life is abundant and includes, among others, mountain lion, Felis concolor, and mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus.

Geologically, Mesozoic granitics and Miocene and Pliocene volcanics cover most of the area, though there are some pre-Cretaceous metasedimentaries present.

Integrity: Portions are grazed and there is limited mining activity, with access roads. Most of the area is relatively pristine.

Use: Research, educational, observational, Some private.

March 1981