Chehalem Mountains

Chehalem Range
Southeast from Bald Peak.
Highest point
PeakBald Peak
Elevation1,629 ft (497 m)
Coordinates45°23′46″N 123°03′18″W / 45.39611°N 123.05500°W / 45.39611; -123.05500
Geography
Map
CountryUnited States
StateOregon
Borders onOregon Coast Range

The Chehalem Mountains are a mountain range located in the Willamette Valley in the U.S. state of Oregon. Forming the southern boundary of the Tualatin Valley, the Chehalems are the highest mountains in the Willamette Valley.[1] The range extends from the Willamette River east of Newberg northwest to the foothills of the Oregon Coast Range south of Forest Grove.

Toponymy

The word "Chehalem" is a corruption of the Atfalati Indian word "Chahelim," a name given in 1877 to one of the bands of Atfalati.[2]

Geography

Composed of a single land mass that was uplifted by tectonic forces, the mountain range includes several spurs and ridges such as Parrett Mountain, Ribbon Ridge, and Bald Peak.[3]

The highest peak in the Chehalem Mountain Range is Bald Peak, rising to 1,629 feet (497 m),[2] which is also the highest peak point within the Willamette Valley.[3]

Chehalem Mountains AVA

Main article: Chehalem Mountains AVA

The Chehalem Mountains AVA has been a designated American Viticultural Area since 2006.[3][4]

See also

References

  1. ^ McArthur, Lewis A. (1952) [1928]. Oregon geographic names (3rd ed.). Binsfords & Mort for the Oregon Historical Society. p. 123. ISBN 1111097747. Hardcover Enlarged.
  2. ^ a b McArthur, Lewis A.; Lewis L. McArthur (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (Seventh ed.). Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press. ISBN 0-87595-277-1. (trade paperback), (hardcover).
  3. ^ a b c Chehalem Mountains now official wine area. Portland Business Journal, December 27, 2006.
  4. ^ "§ 9.205 Chehalem Mountains" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved January 29, 2008.