88 



Sierra Club Bulletin, 



ley's Camp on the eastern side of Mt. Whitney, 2,800* 

 feet below the summit. 



III. From the northern end of Kern River, working 

 south to East Fork, thence as in II. 



The trails on the western side of the mountain are 

 not steep, nor especially difficult and dangerous. A good 

 climber can go from Langley's Camp to the summit in 

 less than four hours. 



On the top of the mountain, or peak, is a flat of sev- 

 eral acres. On the extreme eastern edge a small moun- 

 ment of rocks has been erected. The eastern side of the 

 peak is precipitous, a sheer fall of about 6,000 feet sharply 

 marking the mountain. About 11,000 feet below the sum- 

 mit lies the valley of Owens River, with Owens Lake to 

 the southeast. On a clear, quiet day Lone Pine, almost 

 directly east of Mt. Whitney, and distant about fifteen 

 miles, can be seen. Independence, lying to the north- 

 northeast, is hidden by a ridge. Between Independence 

 and Lone Pine six streams flow to the east. The most 

 important of these is Lone Pine Creek, which flows 

 down from Mt. Whitney. According to the report of 

 Mr. Charles C. Garrett, Observer at Independence, Cal., 

 dated June 17, 1903, the quantity of water in this creek 

 is as follows: — 



" The flow of the stream varies very much in different years. 

 Measurements taken two days ago at my request showed a flow 

 of 660 miners' inches. The water is now at its highest point, 

 and this is regarded as an average year. It is probable that at 

 the time of lowest water not more than 80 inches flow. Meas- 

 urements were taken in the months of October and December, 

 1893, for testimony in a water suit, and flows of 195 and 160 

 inches, respectively, were found. The principal owner of the 

 waters of Little Pine Creek informs me that, in his opinion, the 

 average flow of the stream for an average year is about 300 

 miners' inches." 



* Three thousand feet is probably a more accurate figure. 



