New York Mountain Highlands
Map SatelliteNatural beauty combined with an unusual flora and fauna makes this area one of the more outstanding in the eastern Mojave. It represents an upland relict area where plant populations, formerly more widespread, are now restricted to montane regions in the high desert. The dominant community is the pinyon-juniper woodland (Pinus edulis and Juniperus osteosperma). The two-leaved pinyon, Pinus edulis, here at its western limits, is found above 1,825 meters (6,000 feet), the single-leaved pinyon, Pinus monophylla, below this elevation. Important in the woodland understory are Ericameria linearifolia and Ericameria cuneata.
Near the peak are several recently discovered relict stands of the white fir, Abies concolor; there are similar stands in the Clark and Kingston Mountains to the northwest. Found in association with these stands are Fraxinus anomala, Sedum niveum, Ribes spp., Holodiscus microphyllus, and Heuchera rubescens var. alpicola. There is a disjunct population of the canyon live oak, Quercus chrysolepis, here, some 190 kilometers (120 miles) northeast of its main range. Near Keystone Spring there are limestone outcrops which support a "limestone scrub" including rock-spiraea, Petrophytum caespitosum, mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus intricatus, Abronia nana, Glossopetalon spp., and Eriogonum spp.
Several rare plants are found in this area, Astragalus cimae var. cimae, Cordylanthus parviflorus, and Eriodictyon angustifolium. There is a diverse fauna. This is one of few places in the State where the rock squirrel, Citellus variegatus, at the western limit of its range, is found. The Panamint chipmunk, Eutamias panamintinus, along with other desert rodents, is abundant here, and the porcupine, Erethizon dorsatum, is present. Other mammals in the area include the desert bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis, mountain lion, Felis concolor, and the mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus.
Numerous birds, including many migrants, have been reported from the area. The broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus, is found here and there is a sight report of the hepatic tanager, Piranga flava.
Trending northeast to southwest, the mountains are composed primarily of granitic outcroppings of Mesozoic age, but there are some early Paleozoic sediments including limestone strata. The granitic boulders in Carruthers Canyon are noteworthy. Fossils have been found in the limestone beds.
Integrity: Generally undeveloped, there are several active mining claims, with access roads.
Use: Educational, research, light recreation, present.
December 1975
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
