27 



the great Sierra Range. Kern Mountain, a few miles west of 

 Owens Lake is 1 1,493 feet above sea. Kern River has its sources 

 in the snow-laden high mountains and its waters move down 

 the western slope towards the Pacific Ocean. This region is 

 aptly called the Alps of America. The most southerly moving 

 glacier in the United States gathers its snows on these high peaks. 

 Mt. Langley, elevation 14,042 feet, and Mt. Whitney, 14,496 

 feet, stand as guardians at the eastern edge of Sequoia National 

 Park. Mt. Whitney represents the highest elevation above sea- 

 level in the United States, while 70 miles away to the east is 

 Death Valley which is nearly 300 feet below sea level. Sequoia 

 trees, the most magnificent and the most ancient specimens of 

 growing plants in the world have their home on the high cool 

 slopes to the west. To the east, at the foot of the steep slope of 

 the Sierra Range, is Owens Valley. In a reservoir south of Big 

 Pine waters which pour down the steep eastern wall from the 

 snow-covered crest of the Sierras are impounded and conveyed 

 by aqueduct to Los Angeles. Owens River, the railroad, the 

 highway, and a power transmission line, occupy the valley. To 

 the east is the desert. Owens River disappears in Owens Lake. 

 To the north from Mt. Whitney, along the crest of the Sierra 

 Range, all having elevations of more than 13,000 feet, are Mt. 

 Bernard, Junction Peak, University Peak, Mt. Baxter, Split 

 Mountain, Mt. Sill and Palisade Glacier, Mt. Goddard, Mt. 

 Darwin, Mt. Humphrey, Mt. Hilgard, Mt. Abbott, Mt. Mor- 

 gan. From the snow-clad crest come the headwaters of Kern, 

 Kaweah, King and San Joaquin rivers. Glacial lakes of alpine 

 beauty nestle in pockets. The great canyons of King and 

 Kaweah rivers are below on the western slope. The Devil's Post 

 Pile (National Monument) is a vast pile of basaltic columns 

 (ancient lava) which rivals in grandeur and character the 

 Giant's Causeway in Scotland. Near by is Casa Diablo hot 

 springs and geysers. Alpine lakes, relics of past glaciation, 

 abound in fish. This is the high sierra. Tioga Pass, elevation 

 9,941 feet, affords a highway across the great range. The Mari- 



