26 Adventures in Scenery 



irrigation is apparent. In Fremont Valley water is obtained 

 from wells, and fruit trees have been planted in efforts to re- 

 claim the desert. Alfalfa and melons are the most profitable 

 crops grown. It is however a problematical country from an 

 agricultural view point. 



In the Rand Mountains mining of gold, silver, and tungsten 

 have been important. A large part of the world's supply of 

 tungsten came from this district at one time. El Paso Moun- 

 tains lie to the north and west. A marked fault extends along 

 the southeast front of these mountains. To the northeast is 

 Searles Lake, a playa from which borax and potash in commer- 

 cial quantities have been taken. Indian Wells Valley is enclosed 

 by mountain ranges, beyond the El Paso range, and is without 

 drainage. The Sierra Nevada Range rises on the west from the 

 valley floor at about 3,000 feet to 6,000 feet. Streams pour 

 down from all the mountain ranges surrounding the valley, but 

 more largely from the Sierras. The aalluvial wash from the 

 mountains forms the plain of the valley. Playas occur, as there 

 is no drainage outside the valley. Water is pumped from wells 

 for irrigation, and considerable development of agriculture has 

 been made. 



Steep Eastern Slope of Sierra Nevada 

 Range 



Our Bee-line is now along the steep eastern face of the Sierra 

 Nevada Range, and the Mojave Desert is left behind. The east- 

 ern face of the great Sierra uplift is very abrupt, and serrated 

 by deep canyons. The streams of the canyons cease as they 

 approach the desert plain and the waters disappear in the alluvial 

 soil at the foot of the high range. Owens River flows for 50 

 miles near the foot and along the front of the great Sierra 

 Range. From this river water is conveyed by aqueduct to Los 

 Angeles, more than 100 miles. Owens River nominally drains 

 into Owens Lake, now dry. The elevation of the lake bed is 

 3,550 feet. We are now climbing rapidly toward the crest of 



