Mid Hills
Map SatelliteThe Mid Hills, which connect the New York Mountains with the Providence Mountains, are a part of the narrow southward projection of the Great Basin Desert into the Mojave Desert. They have served as a corridor for the migration of plants and animals into the Mojave from the Great Basin; as such, there is a rather remarkable flora here.
The dominant communities, depending on altitude, are the pinyon-juniper woodland and creosote bush scrub. Five species of Opuntia, including Opuntia acanthocarpa, Opuntia basilaris, Opuntia echinocarpa, Opuntia mojavensis, and Opuntia ramosissima, are found here as are several Yucca spp, The rare Astragalus cimae var. cimae is found here. The pinyon, Pinus edulis, reaches its westernmost limit here.
Animals present include the mountain lion, Felis concolor, and possibly bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis, as well as numerous raptors and a wide variety of reptiles.
There are some Paleozoic sandstone sedimentary rocks in the area. Granitics are common and there are alluvial terraces. Pinto Mountain is volcanic. There are a number of springs which contribute to the abundance of wildlife and vegetation.
Numerous archaeological sites, including some rare glyphs, lie within the area.
The old Government Road, which was well used in the mid-1800's, passes through the area.
Integrity: There has been some mining and grazing but the development of recreation sites within the area has had a greater deteriorative impact.
Use: Education, research, observation, light recreation. There are some private inholdings.
September 1975
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
