Owens Peak

Owens Peak
Highest point
Elevation	8,452 ft (2,576 m) NAVD 88
Prominence	2,173 ft (662 m)
Listing	Sierra Peaks Section Hundred Peaks Section
Coordinates	35°44′18″N 117°59′49″W
Geography
Owens Peak Kern County, California, U.S.
Parent range	Sierra Nevada
Topo map	USGS Owens Peak
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike, class 2

Owens Peak is the highest point in the southern Sierra Nevada, at more than 8,400 feet (2,600 m) above sea level. The peak stands near the center of the Owens Peak Wilderness, which was designated by the 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 (19 km) west-northwest of Inyokern and 159 miles (256 km) north of Los Angeles.

History

Owens Peak is named after Richard Owens (1812–1902), an Ohio-born explorer (aka "Owings"), who accompanied John C. Frémont on his third expedition to California (1845–1846). Frémontalso named a valley, river and lake for Owens, whom he considered "cool, brave and of good judgment". Owens served as a captain in Frémont's California Battalion during the Mexican–American War and was California's Secretary of State during Frémont's brief tenure as governor (1847).

References

Wide shot of Owens Peak