Of the Contiguous 48 states in the US, which has the largest number of distinct mountain ranges?

With over 150 distinct ranges with unique biomes, Nevada far surpasses the other contiguous states for the number of mountain ranges. Some ranges are quite small {The Bare Mountain Range is only 14 km or 9 miles long} or far from any other range. Some {The Shoshone Mountains are about 106 km or 66 miles long} are closer to other ranges, but maintain a unique character allowing them to be considered a unique range.

Almost all of the mountain ranges are considered to be a part of the "Intermountain District" of the western United States, being located between the higher Sierra Nevada and the higher Rocky Mountain Ranges. The Intermountain Ranges tend to be drier, and lower in elevation. Much of the moist Pacific air coming across the country loses its highest level of moisture in the Sierra Nevada and again loses more moisture in the Rocky Mountains. The Intermountain Ranges, being lower, are not such a trap to the moisture, so get less snow and less rainfall.

Although they tend to be drier, the mountains of Nevada still support a wide range of flora and fauna.