Knapsacking Across the Kings-Kern Divide. 169 



the dangerous precipices which intercept all the other 

 numerous gullies which lead down from above, we 

 camped where we were. Never have I spent a night any- 

 where just like that one ! We were on an unusually steep 

 mountain side and the only ground we could discover 

 approaching a level character was an area of a few 

 square feet behind a large boulder. By building up a 

 rude wall of stones and logs to keep from rolling down 

 the mountain side, we managed to pass the night in com- 

 parative comfort. At daybreak we were up and ate the 

 few crumbs of food left in our knapsacks. As we 

 hastened down the rocky chute leading to the floor of 

 Kings River Canon, we witnessed the wonderful effects 

 of early morning as the light poured over the jagged 

 crest of the Sierra and filled canon after canon with its 

 brilliant flood. We reached camp in time for an early 

 breakfast and were glad indeed to throw down our knap- 

 sacks which had burdened us during these strenuous 

 days. 



Some day there may be well traveled trails crossing 

 the passes just described. Considerable work will have 

 to be done first, but a trail now leads up Deadman Canon 

 to its head and Prof. Dudley and party took animals all 

 the way up the Kern-Kaweah. Only a short distance 

 remains to be made passable, and I think it is an entirely 

 feasible and probably the best route for the future from 

 Kings River Canon to Mt. Whitney. 



