The Indio Hills are a low mountain range in the Colorado Desert.[1] located in Riverside County, California's Coachella Valley. The hills were named for their proximity to the city of Indio, and are sometimes referred to as the Indio Mud Hills or Indio Sand Hills.[2]
| Indio Hills | |
|---|---|
  Indio Hills Location of the Indio Hills in California[1] | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,744 ft (532 m) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Colorado Desert |
| District | Coachella Valley, Riverside County |
| Range coordinates | 33°50′18.061″N 116°19′9.033″W / 33.83835028°N 116.31917583°W |
| Topo map | USGS Myoma |
Geology
The Indio Hills are located in the Coachella Valley along the San Andreas Fault. The hills have natural springs along the fault. These support native California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera) oases habitats.
Geographic Features
Peaks
- Edom Hill, 1,594 feet (486 m), 33°52′13″N 116°25′47″W / 33.87018°N 116.42961°W: Located near Thousand Palms, Edom Hill is one of the highest peaks in the range. The prominence of the hill within the Coachella Valley has made it a chosen location for numerous communication towers.
- Flat Top Mountain, 823 feet (251 m), 33°51′59″N 116°28′06″W / 33.86627°N 116.46840°W
- Squaw Hill, 609 feet (186 m), 33°50′09″N 116°18′29″W / 33.83574°N 116.30804°W: A promontory overlooking the Thousand Palms Oasis.
Canyons
- Pushawalla Canyon, 33°49′26″N 116°16′55″W / 33.8238331°N 116.2818127°W
- Thousand Palms Canyon, 33°50′13″N 116°18′37″W / 33.8368433°N 116.3103254°W
Oases
- Biskra Palms, 33°47′25″N 116°15′05″W / 33.7902621°N 116.2513493°W: Named in honor of Biskra, Algeria.[3]
- Hidden Palms, 33°49′12″N 116°18′08″W / 33.8198853°N 116.3021139°W
- Macomber Palms, 33°49′12″N 116°15′23″W / 33.8198853°N 116.2562662°W
- Pushawalla Palms, 33°47′52″N 116°16′55″W / 33.7978285°N 116.2818127°W
- Thousand Palms Oasis, 33°50′13″N 116°18′37″W / 33.8368433°N 116.3103254°W: The name origin for the community of Thousand Palms.
- Willis Palms, 33°49′36″N 116°19′50″W / 33.8265819°N 116.3306839°W
Parks
The Indio Hills Palms State Reserve and Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge are protected lands of the Indio Hills.