14 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



THE KERN DOMES, KERN RIVER CANYON, CAL. 



Overlooking the famous canyon these peaks are a notable feature of the wall which shuts in the almost level floor of the canyon. These walls are 

 not so vertical nor so systematically shaped as those of the Yosemite but in places they rise to an altitude of over three thousand feet above 

 the river. 



Across the King's-Kern Divide about two miles west 

 of its junction with the crest of the High Sierra is a trail 

 that connects the King's River Canyon with the Kern 

 River Canyon and crosses at Harrison Pass. It is possi- 

 ble to take animals over this pass, but hardly advisable. 

 Construction work is now being performed on the trail 

 over the pass and a safe and easy passage for animals is 

 assured for next season. 



The Kern River has its source in the almost countless 

 number of small lakes and mountain tarns which nestle 

 around the upper bases of the peaks which form the 

 Kern-King's Divide and the main ridge of the Sierra 

 Nevada from Junction Peak south. The Kern flows in 

 an almost due south direction, practically at right angles 

 with the direction of the South Fork of the King's. To 

 the east of the great Kern Canyon the main ridge of the 

 Sierra Nevada bars the passage to the famous Owens 

 River valley and to the west the great Western Divide 

 separates the Kern from the Kaweah. With the Sphinx 

 Crest and King's-Kern Divide running in an easterly 

 and westerly direction, the Great Western Divide and the 

 main ridge of the High Sierra running parallel to one 

 another in a northerly and southerly direction, each with 

 its lofty peaks and serrated crest silhouetted against the 



sparkling azure skies, the country is divided into three 

 sections each of which is a riot of beauty and a wonder- 

 land well calculated to fascinate the camper and mountain 

 climber and banish from his mind all thoughts of time. 



To attempt to describe the entire area would at least 

 indicate a monumental conceit on the part of even the 

 greatest of writers. To attack the task of an adequate 

 description of even a smaller section must, to those who 

 have traversed this country, appear presumptuous ; but 

 at least I may indicate some of the beauties which may 

 be ecountered on a trip crossing the Great Western Di- 

 vide, the Kern Canyon and the main range of the Sierra 

 Nevada. Perhaps the most fortunate circumstance, in 

 connection with this rugged and broken country, is the 

 fact that there are certain trails which lead one along 

 canyon floors, swinging around great bluffs and over high 

 passes with astonishingly little danger. 



The orthodox port of entry to this land of enchant- 

 ment is the small town of Vasalia in Tulare County, Cali- 

 fornia, where, amongst other attractions offered by the 

 general locality, one may secure enchiladas, frijoles and 

 Spanish chicken prepared and served in a manner that 

 justifies the claim to a true Spanish origin. If the trav- 

 eler is so fortunate as to dine upon one of these old Mexi- 



