The Placer herald., 1864-11-19
Tho Loftiest and Widest Region Of the
Sierra Nevada.

Sierra Nevada.
The Mining and Scientific Press contains
the following Interesting narrative of recent
operations of the State Geological surveyor,
furnished by Professor, Brewer:
The party left Visaa early in June. and
worked east to the crest of the Sierra. along
the divide between the Kings and Kaweah
rivers. After passing the lower foothills
and attaining an altitude of 600O feet the
region become heavily timbeled with pines
and frs. There are occasional meadows, and
much feed is scattered through the forests,
and cattle have been driven TO this feed as
far as 70 miles from Vsala, and up to he
altitude of nearly 5000 feet Good feed
exists beyond this, fine pasturage extending
nearly to the crest, but the country is more
difficult of access, and is as yet entirely un.
inhabited. Along the western slope, at an
altitude Of 5000 to 1000 feet, the big
Tree" or gian, Sequoias are abundant, no,
merely occurring in isolated groves, rs is the
case further north. but are also scattered
through the forest in abundance along with
other timber, for 3 distance Of At least %
miles along the tributaries Of Kings, Kaweah
and Kern rivers.
Larger trees were met with than occur in
the Cslaveras and Mariposa groves, aud they
impaired \ grandeur to the forest that can
only be appreciated by being seen The lar
gest tree seen by The party is near Thomas
sawmil and is about 40 feet in its greatest
diameter: bu. the Indians tell of much
larger tree north of Kings river. The crest
Of the Sierra rises very high for a distance
Of more than 100 miles; in fact. the more
prominent peaks for 200 miles rise to above
$4,000 feet. Between the head waters of
the Kings and Kern rivers the greatest mass
ocrurs The highest peak is probably Is.
900 feet high. They found it impossible to
reach the top aud measure it. Mr.. King
reached the height of l4.73O feet, but WAS
unable to get higher. Several peaks of tins
group are $4,000 feet. This fact was
unsuspected before. and makes the noun
tains the highes. in the United states
The party was accompanied with An escort
Of cavalry from Camp Rabbit, for the region
north of this. They passed mp the South
Fork of King. river aud crossed to Owens
valley after finding it impossible to get north
without the de,our. Kings river has two
main forks. running into very deep canons,
that Of the North Fork being inpaesshls
These canons are deeper than that Of w,
semitic. and almost rival it IN the grar eur
Of their scenery. That of the North Fork
WAS not visited. That of the Souh much
resemhed Yosemite but lacked the grand
wster falls that make the valley So famous.
With comparatively little labor trail couId
be made hy way OF this fork. which would
be the shortest rnute from Vlsalia to San
Carlos and Bend City. The pass is very
hieh-sone 1900 feet-and the summit
steep. but not imprar,icable
The party passed up Ovens valley about
80 miles, and then re"rossed the snmmit by
an obscure Indian trail TO the Middle Fork
Of ths San Joaquin. The pass is very high
-aboni 10000 feet et--prohsbIy the highest
pass in North America. On the South Fork
Of the San Joaquin. near the summit large
mass Of states occur which may, at some
future time. create an excitement and prove
metaliferous. Near the junction of the
three larger forks OF this river, there is a
large region which abounds in excellent pas
tura.e. Several Thousand cattle might te
pastured here for six months of the year.
and trail could easily be made from Fort
Miller, on the South side Of the San Joa,
quin. 1t would be imprsoticable to 90 on
the North side. as the canon Of the Norph
Fork is very deep. AT least 1000 feet, and
very difficult to cross.
At the head of the North FOX Of the San
Joaquin, is the lowest pass that occurs prob
ably between the Sonora Pass and " u ker:
Pass, a distance Of over 200 miles. This il
the future NAV be matter Of more import.
ance, but at present it offers no advantage.
over the Mono Pass to tlavee,s going to
Esmerada but nould this route be opened
it would very much shorten The distance
from Stockton or Marrosa to Ovens river
Coso, Slate Range AMI the regions beyond.