ae. re A ee eee, a 
T 3 n 
PASSES—SOUTHERN LIMIT OF PERPETUAL SNOW. * | 353 
The chain retains a great elevation even south of latitude 37?, lofty snow-covered peaks 
being visible from the Tulare plains, and the outline being much broken and serrated. South 
of 36?, however, the altitude decreases, until at the Tejon the highest points are not over 7,500 
feet above the sea ; and the height of the passes, according to the determinations of the Survey, 
range from 4,000 to 5,300 fees. The elevations of the passes in the chain, so far as known, are 
exhibited in the table: 
ELEVATION OF PASSES IN THE SIERRA NEVADA. 
. Name of pass. Latitude. Longitude. Altitude. | Authority. 
Que ee A N 
Madelin Pass P : s. 40 44 12 5,667 | Beckwith. 
Plateau ۱ a a el 5,420 4 
Second summit of Madelin Pass 5,596 ES 
Noble's Pass x 6,074) “ 
Catrón Pass 38 42 15 ۱119 56 41 | 7,972 | Goddard. 
Luther's Pass z i id: E ic. 
Daggett's Pass im 6, 824 3 ۳ 
Breccia Pass, near the middle fork of the Stanisl y. 10,150 = 
Johnson’s Pass co > 6, 752 | s 
Walker's Pass ee 35 39 00 5,306 | Williamson. 
Humpahyamup ...- ae 35 33 38 5,351) — 
Taheechaypah Pass Lis 35 07 28 |^ 4,008 1 
Tejon 35 02 47 | 118 43 31 | 5,34 | « 
Cafiada de las Uvas i 34 54 40 PA -4,315 " 
The elevation of the peak of Shasta is estimated as not less than 18,000 feet, and several peaks 
or ridges near the sources of the American , the Calaveras, and Stanislaus rivers aro; probably, 
over 12,000. 
Summits, covered with perpetual snow, are visible in favorable conditions of the air from the 
valley of the Sacramento, and appear but little nearer to the observer when he has travelled 
thirty or forty miles towards them, and ascended 2,500 or 3,000 feet. They are also visible from 
theSan Joaquin plains, and present a beautiful appearance from the vicinity of the Four Creeks, 
on the Tulare plains. The snow-covered peaks and ridges form a long line, and, although dis- 
tant, stand out in full view, and glitter in the sun's rays, or become tinted with red and purple 
at sunset. The chain ceases to merit the name of snowy nearly under the parallel of 36? ; for, 
from this point, southward, the snow does not remain through the year. This point is in 
the Vicinity of Walker's Pass, and is just north of the sources of Posuncula river. Between 
Walker's Pass and the Tejon the elevated valleys are well watered by streams, the soil is deep 
and good, and grass grows luxuriantly. "There are, also, extensive por of beautiful oaks, 
covering parts of the surface so as to form natural parks. _ 
BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS, OR BERNARDINO SIERRA. 
The ranges which compose the tias Sierra are nearly transverse to the southern end of 
the Sierra Nevada, and extend from that point, a few degrees south of east, to the high, and 
well-known peak of San Bernardino, in longitude 117°. 
