78 THE MOUNTAINS OF CALIFOKNIA 



sarge, it is scarcely less sublime in rock-scenery, 

 while in snowy, falling water it far surpasses it. 

 Being so favorably situated for the stream of Yo- 

 semite travel, the more adventurous tourists cross 

 over through this glorious gateway to the volcanic 

 region around Mono Lake. It has therefore gained 

 a name and fame above every other pass in the 

 range. According to the few barometrical observa 

 tions made upon it, its highest point is 10,765 

 feet above the sea. The other pass of the five we 

 have been considering is somewhat lower, and 

 crosses the axis of the range a few miles to the 

 north of the Mono Pass, at the head of the south 

 ernmost tributary of Walker's Eiver. It is used 

 chiefly by roaming bands of the Pah Ute Indians 

 and " sheepmen." 



But, leaving wheels and animals out of the ques 

 tion, the free mountaineer with a sack of bread on 

 his shoulders and an ax to cut steps in ice and 

 frozen snow can make his way across the range al 

 most everywhere, and at any time of year when the 

 weather is calm. To him nearly every notch be 

 tween the peaks is a pass, though much patient 

 step-cutting is at times required up and down 

 steeply inclined glaciers, with cautious climbing 

 over precipices that at first sight would seem hope 

 lessly inaccessible. 



In pursuing my studies, I have crossed from 

 side to side of the range at intervals of a few miles 

 all along the highest portion of the chain, with far 

 less real danger than one would naturally count 

 on. And what fine wildness was thus revealed 

 storms and avalanches, lakes and waterfalls, gar- 



