Crossing the West: Land Regions from Denver to San Francisco

Traveling west from Denver to San Francisco crosses four major physiographic regions:

1. Rocky Mountains

North America's most prominent range, with towering peaks, deep valleys, and forests stretching from Canada to New Mexico.

2. Colorado Plateau

High-elevation region across CO, UT, AZ, NM, known for canyons, mesas, and buttes.

3. Great Basin

Arid, internally drained area covering parts of NV, UT, OR; water does not reach the ocean.

4. Sierra Nevada

California's eastern mountain barrier, featuring high peaks, deep valleys, and giant sequoias.

Each region offers distinct geology, ecology, and scenery.