Chehalem Range | |
Country: | United States |
State: | Oregon |
Border: | Oregon Coast Range |
Length Orientation: | Northwest-Southeast |
Highest: | Bald Peak |
Elevation Ft: | 1629 |
Coordinates: | 45.3961°N -123.055°W |
Photo Size: | 250 |
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.
The word "Chehalem" is a corruption of the Atfalati Indian word "Chahelim," a name given in 1877 to one of the bands of Atfalati.
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.[2]
The highest peak in the Chehalem Mountain Range is Bald Peak, rising to 1629feet,[3] which is also the highest peak point within the Willamette Valley.[2]
See main article: Chehalem Mountains AVA. The Chehalem Mountains AVA has been a designated American Viticultural Area since 2006.[2] [4]