Coso - Argus Ranges

The Coso-Argus Ranges sit between Owens Valley and Panamint Valley, forming a rugged, dry landscape with steep mountains, rolling hills, and wide desert basins. This area has a hot to mild climate, depending on elevation, and gets very little rain-just 5 to 12 inches a year. Most of the higher elevations see some snow in winter.

Geology & Landforms

The ground here is made up of a mix of very old rocks, including granitic, sedimentary, metamorphic, and volcanic formations. Some of the rocks date back hundreds of millions of years, covering time periods from the Ordovician through the Permian. Volcanic activity in the past left behind layers of basalt, pyroclastic rocks, and even cinder cones (small volcanic craters). The landscape has been shaped by erosion, freezing and thawing, and the movement of water when it does rain.

This region features north-south mountain ranges, with a few exceptions like the Darwin Hills and Santa Rosa Hills, which tilt slightly northwest. Some high plateaus, like Joshua Flat, appear to be ancient, eroded surfaces. Elevations range from around 2,000 feet to over 8,800 feet, with Maturango Peak in the Argus Range being the tallest point.

Soil & Vegetation

The soils here vary depending on the terrain. Mountains and hills have thin, rocky soils, while valleys and alluvial fans (gently sloping deposits of sediment) have deeper, more developed soils. These soils are dry, well-drained, and classified under different temperature and moisture categories depending on elevation.

Vegetation changes with elevation, with creosote bush, saltbush, and black bush dominating the lower, drier areas. As you go higher, you find big sagebrush and pinyon pines. Joshua trees also grow in certain spots at lower elevations. Other plants include Indian ricegrass, needle-and-thread grass, brittlebush, and Utah juniper.

Climate & Water

The climate is arid, meaning it's dry most of the year. Winters can be cold at higher elevations, and summers are very hot at lower elevations. The freeze-free season lasts anywhere from 125 to 250 days, depending on location.

Water is scarce, and most streams remain dry for most of the year. When it does rain, water quickly runs off the mountains and fans out across the desert floor. Drainage from this region flows into Owens Valley or Panamint Valley.

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