. American forestry. Forests and forestry. 20 AMERICAN FORESTRY. THK HIGHEST PEAK l.\ THE UNITED STATES This is Mt. W'liitney in southern California, and for all its distinction as tlie highest mountain in this country it is most easy of ascent and from this point of view not at all impressive. From its summit may be seen the town of Tom Pine, two miles below, and the inclination is strong to step carefully in fear of dislodging some stone that might crush the tiny hamlet. than twelve miles to the east, seems to lift the peak to an alti- tude that more closely approxi- mates the heavens than m
. American forestry. Forests and forestry. 20 AMERICAN FORESTRY. THK HIGHEST PEAK l.\ THE UNITED STATES This is Mt. W'liitney in southern California, and for all its distinction as tlie highest mountain in this country it is most easy of ascent and from this point of view not at all impressive. From its summit may be seen the town of Tom Pine, two miles below, and the inclination is strong to step carefully in fear of dislodging some stone that might crush the tiny hamlet. than twelve miles to the east, seems to lift the peak to an alti- tude that more closely approxi- mates the heavens than many of those who climb had ever hoped to attain. The east shoulder of the mountain is a vertical preci- ])ice of 1,500 feet, at the base of which lies a small lake which is partly covered with snow and ice. Desolation and lightning- pierced piles of granite boulders surround the peak on every side, and if the ever-imminent storm does not suggest the advisability I if immediate departure, the cold aiul the sensation of approaching tragedy are bound to do so. Strangely enough the return trip is more difficult than the ascent and sighs of relief are a familiar sound to the stunted pines of Crab Tree Meadow. The next fifteen miles of the trail that leads to Whitney Meadows is a succession of weird scenery and startling pano- ramas. The trail passes over the sand flat to the east of Mt. Guyot and around the southern shoulder of the Siberian Outpost to the home of the golden trout. Scenery, like people, is of in- terest in jiroportion to the degree of individuality which it ex- presses. A rolling hill of non- descript character will no more interest a traveler than will a Ijcrson with nondescript features and mediocre mind. There is a strange individuality to the scenery in the vicinity of the Si- The ascent up the canyon is commenced at Junction Meadow at an elevation of 8,000 feet. From there the trail climbs steadily to an elevation of approximately 11,000 and then drops to 10,300
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectforestsandforestry
