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Surprise Valley, Modoc County

Surprise Valley
Valley
Wpdms shdrlfi020l warner mountains.jpg
shaded relief map of region
Country United States
States California, Nevada, Oregon
Region (northwest)-Great Basin
County Modoc County, CA
Borders on Warner Mountains-NW, W & SW
Hays Canyon Range-E & SE
Communities Cedarville, CA, Lake City, CA, Fort Bidwell, CA, Lake Annie, CA, Eagleville, CA
Lakes Upper Alkali Lake, Middle Alkali Lake, Lower Alkali Lake
Coordinates 41°31′45″N 120°10′24″W / 41.52917°N 120.17333°W / 41.52917; -120.17333Coordinates: 41°31′45″N 120°10′24″W / 41.52917°N 120.17333°W / 41.52917; -120.17333
Lowest point Middle Alkali Lake
 - elevation 4,500 ft (1,372 m)
Length 60 mi (97 km), N-S
Surprise Valley, Modoc County is located in California
Surprise Valley, Modoc County
Surprise Valley
in California–(Nevada-Oregon borders)

Surprise Valley is a valley in California, about 60 miles in length from north to south. Locals refer to the area as the Tricorner Region because of the region's location at the intersection of California, Oregon, and Nevada state lines. The valley is east of the Modoc County seat of Alturas. The area is part of the Great Basin which extends across most of the northern half of Nevada.

Most of the valley is over 4,000 feet above mean sea level (AMSL), and could be characterized as a high altitude desert valley. A series of alkaline lakes occupy low-lying areas. Forested mountains mark the west side of the valley. The Hays Canyon Range, (mostly east of the Nevada state line) is to the east, and the Warner Mountains border the west. The valley is considered part of the Great Basin, a desert region roughly covering the geographic majority of Nevada and extending into Utah; also regions of southeast Oregon, and southern California, in the east. Communities in Surprise Valley include Eagleville (ZIP Code 96110), Cedarville (96104), Lake City (96115), and Fort Bidwell (96112).

Most of the land west of the main north-south highway, Surprise Valley Road, is US Forest Service land. To the east of the road, most land is owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Recreational facilities on BLM lands tie in with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada (formerly called Sheldon Antelope Refuge). Over the region, opportunities for hiking, exploring dirt roads, birding, stalking antelope with cameras, fishing, camping, and mountain biking are available. Big game and bird hunting is popular among some area visitors. A BLM brochure warns, "Snowstorms occasionally strand travelers. May and June snowstorms are not uncommon." There are hot springs and abandoned mine shafts throughout the region.


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