Sonora Pass

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/sonora-pass

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How high is Sonora Pass?9,624 feet (2,933 meters) above sea level
2. How tall is Sonora Pass?Second-highest road pass in California and the Sierra Nevada
3. What is the location?Sierra Nevada mountain range, California, USA
4. What is the key transportation routes?State Route 108 and the Pacific Crest Trail
5. Why do people drive on State Route 108 through Sonora Pass?State Route 108 is a paved highway that connects communities on the east and west sides of the Sierra Nevada. It helps people move goods, services, and visitors even when other roads are closed by snow.
6. What happens to the snow that falls on Sonora Pass?When the snow melts, it becomes water that feeds streams and helps start rivers in the area. These streams are part of many watersheds.

Sierra Nevada: A major mountain range in California, characterized by its granite peaks, significant elevation, and diverse ecosystems from foothills to alpine zones.
Alpine Climate: A climate found at high altitudes, marked by cold temperatures, strong winds, significant snowfall, and a short growing season.
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT): An iconic long-distance hiking and backpacking route that traverses the western United States, known for its scenic beauty and challenging terrain.
Glacial Erosion: The process by which glaciers carve and shape the land through the movement of ice, responsible for many of the dramatic features in mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevada.