| Owens Peak | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 8,452 ft (2,576 m) NAVD 88[1] |
| Prominence | 2,173 ft (662 m)[2] |
| Listing | Sierra Peaks Section[3] Hundred Peaks Section[4] |
| Coordinates | 35°44′18″N117°59′49″W / 35.738260592°N 117.996969425°W /35.738260592; -117.996969425[1] |
| Geography | |
  Owens Peak | |
| Parent range | Sierra Nevada |
| Topo map | USGS Owens Peak |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike,class 2[3] |
Owens Peak is the highest point in the southernSierra Nevada, at more than 8,400 feet (2,600 m) above sea level. The peak stands near the center of theOwens Peak Wilderness, which was designated by theUnited 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 theGreat Basin and theMojave Desert here, creating an unusualecosystem.
Owens Peak is located inKern County, about 12 miles (19 km) west-northwest ofInyokern and 159 miles (256 km) north ofLos Angeles.
Owens Peak is named after Richard Owens (1812–1902), anOhio-born explorer (aka "Owings"), who accompaniedJohn C. Frémont on his third expedition to California (1845–1846). Frémont also named a valley, river and lake for Owens, whom he considered "cool, brave and of good judgment".[5] Owens served as a captain in Frémont's California Battalion during theMexican–American War and was California'sSecretary of State during Frémont's brief tenure asgovernor (1847).[6]
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