12 Geological Survey of California. 
reference for all our observations this year in the High Sierra, 
has not yet been as accurately determined as it will be after a 
longer series of observations has been worked up, this place 
having been, during the past summer, and still continuing to be, 
one of Major Williamson’s stations, 
Not satisfied with the former attempt to reach the highest 
from somewhere on this route. This trail leads up the Kaweah — 
river, following up the South fork, from its junction with the 
middle fork of the same river. Full particulars of this recon- 
noissance have not yet come to hand; but from letters lately . 
received, it appears that the base of the high point toward whic 
his efforts were directed was, with difficulty, reached; but that — 
the actual summit of the peak was found to be inaccessible—at 
least from any direction except that of Owen’s valley, and prob- — 
ably not to be scaled from that side. The highest point attained — 
by Mr. King on this trip was 14,369 feet above Visalia, which — 
lace is approximately 360 feet above the sea level, making the — 
total height 14,729 feet, which is considerab! y above Mt. Shasta. — 
ut Mr. King was not, by estimate, within 300 or 400 feet of the — 
summit, so that it appears that the elevation above the sea-level ; 
of this, so far as known, the culminating point of the Sierra — 
evada cannot fall short of 15,000 feet.? ' 
In the mean time, thé main party, under Professor Brewer, — 
made an — to work up the topography of this portion of 
the pass on both sides, The party travelled for three days up — 
Owen’s valley, then turned and crossed the Sierra, by an old © 
Indian foot-trail, to the head-waters of the San Joaquin, the — 
* To this peak the name of Mount Whitn was given by Messrs. Brewer, King 
aud Hoffmann, org oe 
