"Of the adjectives of color used in descriptive geographical names, 'black' is by far the
most common, followed by 'red' and 'white.' It is chiefly applied to orographic features
that appear black because of the geological formation, or the dark green chaparral, or the
atmospheric conditions. California has around one hundred Black Mountains, some thirty
Buttes, about ten each of Peaks, cones, and Rocks, but only a few Hills. The twenty-five
or more Black Canyons were doubtless so named because of their dark and forbidding
appearance; most of the Black Lakes, Springs, and Creeks are not black but were named
after a Black Mountain nearby. Often the generic term is preceded by a specific term
modified by black: Black Crater Mountain, Black Lake Canyon, Black Butte River, Blackcap
Mountain, Blackhawk Creek, Black Rabbit Canyon Creek.
- Erwin G. Gudde, California Place Names
More of Bob's Trip Reports
For more information see these SummitPost pages: Black Buttes
This page last updated: Fri Jan 1 12:01:35 2010
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