California's Mountain Region

California's Mountain Region

Sierra Nevada

There are two main Mountain ranges in California

• the Sierra Nevada

• the Coastal Range

The Coastal Ranges include many smaller chains of mountain ranges.

In fact, mountains make up a large portion of California

Our Focus

For this lesson, we are going to focus on the Sierra Nevada.

The Sierra Nevada

Don't let the name fool you. The Sierra Nevada is not in Nevada. California gets to claim this beautiful mountain range as its own.

How Big is the Sierra Nevada?

• The Sierra Nevada stretches about 450 miles from north to south.

• It runs about 50 miles across, from east to west.

• The Sierra Nevada region makes up about 25 percent of California’s land area.

Water and the Sierra Nevada

• Snowmelt from the Sierra provides water for farms and dairies.

• It also provides drinking water for millions of California residents.

The Animals of the Sierra Nevada

• A wide range of mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles live in the Sierra Nevada.

• Examples include: the America Black Bear, mountain lions, the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, the Gray Fox, marmots, the Steller's Jay, and the Brook Trout

The Sierra Nevada is Home to the Largest Trees in the World

• Sequoias

• Giant redwoods

Interesting Facts

• Mount Whitney is the highest summit in the Sierra Nevada and in the contiguous United States.

• Mt. Whitney's elevation: 14,505 feet

Interesting Fact: Sierra Nevada is home to 3 national parks.

• Kings Canyon

• Yosemite

• Sequoia

And More Interesting Facts

• The California Gold Rush occurred in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada from 1848 through 1855.

• Translated, Sierra Nevada means "snowy mountains."

• Lake Tahoe, located in the Sierra Nevada, is the largest alpine lake in North America.

Let's Review

Multiple Choice

What are the two main mountain ranges in California?

• Redwoods and Sequoia

• Sierra Nevada and the Coastal Ranges

• Cleveland National Forest and San Jacinto

• The Appalachians and the Catskills

Multiple Select

Which of the following national parks are located within the Sierra Nevada?

• Yosemite

• Yellowstone

• Kings Canyon

• Sequoia

• Glacier

Fill in the Blanks

Snowmelt from the Sierra provides

for farms and dairies.

Poll

Which California region/would you rather live in?

• Coastal

• Central Valley

• Mountain

• Desert

• None of these