Sierra Nevada

For sheer grandeur and superlatives, it is hard to compete with the Sierra Nevada. The “Range of Light,” as Ansel Adams so aptly nicknamed them, cover over 39,000 square miles or about the same amount of real estate as Virginia. In that space you will find the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States (Mt. Whitney) as well as one of the deepest gorges in the country (Kings Canyon), the nation’s second deepest lake (Lake Tahoe), and North America’s tallest waterfall (Yosemite Falls) in one of the world’s most famous and visited national parks (Yosemite).

And if it were not for the Gold Rush the Sierra Nevada spawned, the diverse and powerful entity that has come to be known as The Golden State would not exist, at least not in its present form.

Courtwright Reservoir

At an elevation of over 8,000 ft, Courtright Reservoir is one of the highest in the state.

Sierra Snowpack

Winter snows that accumulate in the Sierra Nevada are crucial to recharging the state's water resources each year.

Southern Sierra Nevada

South of Mt. Langley the Sierra Nevada become noticeably lower and drier, almost by the mile. By the time you reach the southern reaches of the range, like here near Lake Isabella, the valleys take on the characteristics of the nearby Mojave Desert.

Spring Runoff

Large volumes of meltwater flood Roaring River in June of 2011.

Sierra Nevada

The Carson Pass Highway (SR-88) cuts across the Sierra Nevada a little south of lake Tahoe. It is named for the legendary explorer Kit Carson, who is said to have carved his name in a tree at the top of the pass.

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