The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1911-05-11
GEOLOGICAL SUR
YEY ISSUES map

The United States geological sur
vey's Topographic map of the Mount
Lyell quadrangle, California, which
was recently brought up to date by
field survey has just been reprinted.
1t shows a fine piece Of mapping of .
remarkable part of the high Sierras.
The area mapped affords one Of the
best illustrations of the old lowland
plain which, uplifted in early geologic
time, now forms the crest of the Sierra
in California to the west and south of
Mount Dana and Kuna and Kopi
peaks. The quadrangle contains a
portion of the famous Mono lake,
which is about Is miles in diameter.
This lake has no outlet and lies in a
beautiful mountain valley where there
are perhaps 10000 acres of volcanic
land that under irrigation will yield
large crops of alfalfa, grass and other
products. To the west and southwest
extends the great backbone Of the
Sierra with multitude of peaks which
tower to heights of 10000, 1900, l2,-
900, $4,000 feet, and even higher.
South of the lake are the Mono
craters once active volcanoes, and one
or more similar craters are probably
covered by the lake itself.
Water Power Streams.
Tuolumne, Merced and San Joaquin
rivers head in this high mountain re-
gion. The Tuolumne flows through the
beautiful Hetch Hetchy valley and the
Merced through the more faomus Yo-
semitic valley in the Yosemite national
park. On all these streams there are
splendid water powers; indeed the
Tuolumne and the San Joaquin whose
waters merge in the region to the
northwest of the Mount Lyell quad
| rangle, have probably as great if not
greater possibilities for the develop
ment of water power than any other
two streams in California. Portions
of the Mono and Sierra national for
ests are included in this area.
The fine forest area on the west
slope of the mountains is one of the
most striking examples of beautiful
rugged mountain country west of the
Sierra divide, where there is abun-
dant verdue and ample water power.
Immediately to the east, in Pumice
valley and around Mono lake, is the
border of the great Nevada desert.
Looking down upon this desert country
and upon Mono lake is Mount Dana
13,050 feet in height, the descent from
its peak to Mono lake, distance Of
eight miles, being 1888 feet.
Glaciers and Trout Streams.
Many examples of fine glacial sculp-
turing are seen in the Mount Lyel
quadrangle and the region abounds in
large and small glacial lakes and
streams which are alive with trout Of
many varieties. A number of pic
turesque glaciers contribute to the
water supply.
Lyell canyon, heading on Mount
Lyell at an altitude of $1,000 feet, is
a splndid U-shaped glaciated canyon,
the original V-shaped gorge having
been scourd and ground out into its
present form by the irresistible forces
of the ice flow. In the southern por-
| tion of the quadrangle is the Devil 8
Post Pile, a great mass of basaltic
columns rightfully regarded as one of
the natural wonders of the Sierra. In
the vicinity of Iron mountain and the
Mnarets is a highly mineralized sec
tion in which gold, silver, copper and
iron show good prospects.
The quadrangle is traversed by
many trails and some good roads,
which are frequented each year by
mountain loving tourists In 1909 the
state built road from Leevening
creek to the Tioga road. leading IL
Tioga lake, making through route
across the mountains. This road opens
Continued on Page Four)