Owens Peak

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Owens Peak
Wide shot of Owens Peak
Elevation	8,453 feet (2,576 metres)
Location	California, USA
Range	Sierra Nevada
Coordinates	35°44′17″N, 117°59′49″W
Topo map	USGS Owens Peak
First ascent	unknown
Easiest route	Trail

Owens Peak, the highest point in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains at more than 8,400 feet. The peak stands near the center of the Owens Peak Wilderness which was designated by United States Congress in 1994, and it now has a total of 74,060 acres (299.7 km²). The eastern watershed of Owens Peak is composed of three main canyons; Grapevine Canyon, Short Canyon and Indian Wells Canyon (north to south respectively). The Sierra Nevada meets the Great Basin and the Mojave Desert here, creating an unusual ecosystem.

Owens Peak is located in Kern County, about 12 miles west-northwest of Inyokern, 159 miles from Los Angeles.

[edit] History

Owens Peak is named after Richard Owens (1812-1902), an Ohio born explorer (aka "Owings"), who accompanied John C. Fremont on his third expedition to California (1845-1946). Fremont also named a valley, river and lake for Owens, whom he considered "cool, brave and of good judgment". Owens served as Captain in Fremont's California Battalion during the Mexican-American War, and was California's Secretary of State during Fremont's brief tenure as Governor (1847).