Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-07-13
MAP OF THE MOUNT
WHITNEY QUADRANGLE

n DTOdd uebeTt valley, through
which a sluggish river flows, walled
in on both sides by rugged noun
tain ranges, whose peaks tower thou
sands OF feet above, is the striking
feature presented by the map of the
Mount Whitney quadrangle, just
published by the United States geo.
logical survey. Few Of the maps is
sued by the survey can be examined
with greater interest, since few areas
within the United States comprise
lgreater variations In topographic
forms than the 900 square miles
there dellneated.
The Mount whitney quadrangle is
apart OF east central California and
includes portions of 1nyo, Tulare and
Fresno counties II is crossed I'm a
general southeast northwest dlrec-
ltion by Owens valley, with owens
river hugging the east side and dis
charging into It's sink, owens lake,
I'm the southeastern corner OF the
area.
On the east owens valley is bor-
dered by the Inyo, or White, noun
tains. a typical desert range, with a
number OF peaks over II 900 feet |
high. with no perennial streams, and |
with few springs. These mountains, |
however, contain valuable mineral |
deposits. which are mined at n num-
Der OF places.
Along the west side OF the valley |
stretches the Sierra Nevada, present.
ing TO the east an abrupt. almost
preclpltous wall, rising from a height
OF about 1000 feet TO over $4,000
In a distance OF less than five miles,
and topped by the highest peaks in
the main body OF tho United States.
Mount whitney, named from Prof
]. ID. Whitney, former state geologlst
,f California, rises 14,501 feet above
sea level. and. closely rivaling II in 7
height. Mount williamson attalns \
1884 feet. Six other peaks In this :
egion are over 1900 feet high, and ,
here are many that fall Just below n
hat height. The numerous high \
'eaks. glacial gorges. and thousands 4
4 little lakes that diversity the rug 4
,ed west slope OF the Sierra are fam I
'us summer camping grounds for 4
Across the northwest q
rn corner OF the quadrangle winds
he South Fork Of Kings river in a
orge a thousand feet deep. while in
he southwestern part OF the area
iern river traverses It's wonderful
anyon. y
Owens valley Is n barren desert,
xcept whore reclaimed by waters
ntering II from the mountains. and
wens lake contains so much soda ="
hat It's extraction has been found
profitable. The river o
self for many miles above the lake y
also saline. but the numerous y
roams that drain the west slope OF "
he Sierra carry fresh water In abun- "
'noe. The valley is traversed by %
10 Nevada and California railroad. ~
narrow-guage line that will prob '"
by soon become part OF trunk
No connecting the gold helds OF :"
eyada with Los Angeles. Another ~
link with the city OF Los on
ngeles will be formed by the pipe n''
'e which, taking water from Owens ~
Yer near lts head, will pass along rs
. mountain streams which Il cross pi'
and finally deliver its supply 90
9 city. This gigantic enterprise
II be accomplished at a cost OF
3 1000. 600. 10
The various natural and cultural =
,tures OF the region are shown on -
= map with as much fidelity TO de-
] as tho scale. one inch TO two {
les, permits. Valleys and peaks. c
les and rivers. ettlements and iso-
ed houses, roads and trails are ac- II
'ately located, and there is even
rked, ON the southeastern corner
the sheet, the fault line resulting
m the great earthquake OF 1874.