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University of California Press

About the Book

From the time it was sighted by Spanish explorers in the eighteenth century through the creation of the John Muir trail, the building of the Hetch Hetchy Dam, and the founding of the Sierra Club, the great snowy range of California has provided fulfillment to generations of trappers, immigrants, engineers, naturalists, and tourists. This mountaineering classic was the first to synthesize into a single, riveting narrative all of the varied aspects of human endeavor related to the history of the Sierra Nevada. Thoroughly illustrated with photographs, drawings, and maps, the book continues to be indispensable for any lover of the high country.

About the Author

Francis P. Farquhar (1887-1974) was a renowned mountaineer, former president of the Sierra Club, and author of several guidebooks to the Sierra Nevada. Mt. Francis Farquhar in Kings Canyon National Park is named in his honor.

Table of Contents

I. THE SIERRA NEVADA
II. INDIANS OF THE SIERRA NEVADA
III. SPANISH DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION
IV. JEDEDIAH SMITH AND THE FIRST CROSSING OF THE SIERRA
V. JOSEPH WALKER AND ZENAS LEONARD
VI. THE FIRST IMMIGRANTS AND THEIR STRUGGLES
VII. FREMONT's WANDERINGS
VIII. GOLD AND THE WAY TO THE MINES
IX. MARIPOSA AND YOSEMITE
X. BIG TREES
XI. OPENING OF THE PASSES
XII. THE CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD
XIII. A SCENE OF WONDER AND CURIOSITY
XIV. THE WHITNEY SURVEY
XV. CLARENCE KING'S MOUNTAINEERING
XVI. JOHN MUIR AND THE RANGE OF LIGHT
XVII. MOUNT WHITNEY
XVIII. FURTHER EXPLORING AND CLIMBING
XIX. NATIONAL PARKS AND FORESTS
XX. THE SIERRA CLUB AND THE HIGH SIERRA
XXI. UTILIUTION AND RECREATION
ENVOY

Reviews

"With competence born of a deep affection and hard-won knowledge of the mountains, Farquhar has produced the book to read about California's high country." 
Natural History
"For the mountaineer, for the camper, for the lover of the high country, and for the historian. . . .Farquhar has lovingly performed a service of consuming interest and significant utility. . . .Thoroughly enjoyable."
Geographical Review