Solvinit4u
12/1/2011
Rewrite
Comparison
Essay
Camping in the mountains compared to camping in the desert
If you enjoy camping in a motorhome or pitching a tent, camping is for everyone. With hundreds of places to camp it is easy to find something for everyone. We can compare camping in the mountains to camping in the desert in terms of temperature, location, and precipitation.
First, we can compare camping in the mountains to camping in the desert in regards to temperature. Camping in the mountains tend to be much cooler all year compared to camping in the desert. There are many states with mountains to choose from. In the south west of America there are mountains in Arizona, California, and New Mexico. The mountain temperature of Arizona during the winter months is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day with night temperatures often falling below freezing, compared to temperatures reaching over 125 degrees Fahrenheit in the desert during the summer months. The temperature in the California Mountains on average is 8 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months. The coldest temperature on record was -45 degrees Fahrenheit recorded January 20, 1937, compared to desert temperatures reaching a record high observed anywhere in the United States was 134 degrees Fahrenheit on July 10, 1913. The mountain temperature of New Mexico is around 64 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer to a record -50 degrees Fahrenheit observed on February 1, 1951.
Second, we can compare camping in the mountains to camping in the desert in regards to location. Arizona is located in the southwest of the United States. Arizona covers 113,909 square miles. Arizona is south of Utah, east of California and Nevada, and west of New Mexico. Arizona mountainous region is orientated southeast to northwest with maximum elevations between 9,000 and 12,000 feet above sea level, compared to elevations as low as about 100 feet above sea level in the Lower Colorado River Valley. Nearly the entire state is in the Colorado River drainage basin which empties into the Gulf of California. The world famous Grand Canyon lies within the state of Arizona extending southwestward some 217 miles from the junction of the Little Colorado River (Fox). California is located to the far southwest of the United States. It is located south of Oregon, north of Mexico. California shares its border to the east with Nevada and Arizona, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. From the southern portion of California desert to the eastern portion of the mountains lie within the Great Basin. The Great Basin extends from Utah to the Sierra Nevada and has no surface drainage to the ocean. New Mexico is located north of Mexico, east of Arizona, west of Texas and south of Colorado (Fuller). The New Mexico the Sangre de Cristo Mountains , the southernmost part of the Rocky Mountains, run roughly north to south along the east side of the Rio Grande compared to the desert that is located in the southwestern corner known as the Bootheel
(Travelogue)
Last, we can compare camping in the mountains to camping in the desert in regards to precipitation. Rainfall totals throughout Arizona is governed to a great extent by elevation (Munsey). From November through March, storm systems from the Pacific Ocean cross the state of Arizona. Flood conditions occur infrequently, although heavy thunderstorms during July and August at times cause floods that do considerable local damage. Thunderstorms are often accompanied by strong winds and brief periods of blowing dust prior to the onset of rain. Hail occurs rather infrequently Floods on the main rivers are mostly limited to the upper basins above storage dams. Flooding in populated areas is rare. The precipitation occurs more frequent in the higher mountains compared to long droughts in the desert. Rain and snow that occurs in the higher elevation supplies water to the lower elevations of the state. Reservoirs hold the needed water for the desert areas in the lower Salt River Valley (Brewer). Precipitation for the state of California totals in excess of 50 inches per year. The mountain regions of California receive snow all year compared to the desert locations that only receive one third of the states total. Precipitation for the state of New Mexico ranges from thirty-three inches in the mountains compared to ten inches in the southern desert annually. Summer rains fall almost entirely during brief, but frequent intense thunderstorm.
In conclusion, we have compared camping in the mountains to camping in the desert in terms of temperature, location, and precipitation. Camping in the mountains compared to camping in the desert is very different depending on what state you choose to camp in. With the information provided comparing camping in the desert to camping in the mountain we feel you will choose the best location for you camping experience.
Works Cited
Brewer, John. “Arizona Lakes | Lake in Arizona | Canyon | Pleasant | Roosevelt | Apache | Saguaro | Mohave | Havasu.” Arizona Hotels | Arizona Vacation | Attractions | Resorts | Grand Canyon. Arizona Leisure Vacation, 11 Feb. 2008. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. <http://www.arizona-leisure.com/arizona-lakes.html>.
Fox, Jamie. “Camping Guide – Stories of the Outdoors.” Love The Outdoors – Celebrating Camping, Hiking, and The Great Outdoors. Camping Guide, 03 Apr. 2011. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. <http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/stories.htm>.
Fuller, Daniel. “Sonoran Desert Climate.” Blue Planet Biomes. Blue Planet, 28 Dec. 2003. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. <http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/sonoran_desert_climate.htm>.
Munsey, David. “CLIMATE OF ARIZONA.” Western Regional Climate Center. WRCC, 2001. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. <http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/ARIZONA.htm>.
Travelogue. “Maps of Southwest USA – The American Southwest.” The American Southwest – Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Wyoming. Slot Canyons & Travelogue. The America Southwest, May 2008. Web. 01 Dec. 2011. <http://www.americansouthwest.net/map.html>.