University of California Publications. [Geology 



Of these none illustrate more impressively the peculiar felicity 

 of the term "Sierra Nevada" than does Sawtooth, under whose 

 shadow Mineral King lies. Mineral King occupies very nearly 

 the north center of a narrow belt of sedimentary rocks, now 

 more or less schistose, some 14 miles long and 2 miles wide, and 

 striking N.N.W. This area of stratified rocks represents an 

 isolated remnant of the extensive terrane into which the Sierran 

 batholithic magmas were intrusive during Mesozoic time. The 

 hypsometric relations disclose the fact that the schists are deeply 

 sunk into the granites, and make it obvious that their preserva- 

 tion is in large part due to this favoring circumstance. The 

 belt has been strongly mineralized, whence its name, and has 

 invited a large amount of prospecting, but exploitation has not 

 proved profitable. The region was traversed by Professor 

 Lawson in his physiographic reconnaissance of the upper Kern 

 Basin, and its salient features outlined and discussed in concise 

 form. It was suggested by him to the writers as an interesting 

 field for more detailed study, especially in regard to its contact 

 phenomena and its stratigraphy. We wish here to express our 

 sincerest acknowledgments of his ever ready help and encour- 

 agement. 



GEOMORPHY. 



The portion of the region with which we are here concerned 

 cannot be said to constitute a geomorphic unit. In its longi- 

 tudinal extent it embraces a linear succession of strike valleys, 

 whose profiles show the glacial U-shape in splendid development. 

 The tributary streams, heading invariably in rock-rimmed 

 lakelets, drain across the upturned edges of the strata, and 

 enter the main valleys by series of waterfalls, often several hun- 

 dred feet high. This lack of adjustment between master stream 

 and lateral drainage is particularly well exemplified by the 

 valley in which Mineral King is situated. This valley is broad 

 and flat-bottomed in its lower extremity, its walls are sheer, and 

 have shed sufficient talus to yield a U-profile of ideal perfec- 

 tion. The floor of the valley is built up of glacial debris, 

 through which the stream meanders in short tortuous curves, 

 at an average grade of a hundred feet to the mile. Just below 



