History
m o re t h a n a
mountain
the larger-than-life stories of Mt. Whitney
T
Story & Historical photos provided by Terry Ommen
ulare County is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts,
this important landmark, calling it Tumanguya (Too-man-i-
especially those who appreciate hiking. Measuring about
goo-yah) or “the very old man.” They believed that from its
5,000 square miles (nearly the size of Connecticut), with
lofty heights, the Great Spirit watched over the people.
fewer than half a million people living within its borders, the
In 1852, when Tulare County was established, it claimed Mt.
county has plenty of open space to enjoy. There are walking
Whitney as its own, as the mountain was situated near the
paths in towns and communities on the Valley floor and in
center of the county. When Inyo County formed in 1866 by
the foothills, not to mention the numerous mountain trails
breaking off the land on the eastern part of Tulare County,
that crisscross lush meadows, alpine valleys, granite peaks
that exclusivity changed. The western line of Inyo County
and the groves of Giant Sequoias, many of which are in
was created using some of the peaks in the Sierra including
Sequoia National Park. No matter what the skill level, there
Mt. Whitney as boundary points. From that time on, the
is a trail or path for everyone.
treasured mountain has been shared by both counties.
But of all the many hiking options, one stands out as the
In 1864, members of the California Geological Survey team
“granddaddy” of them all: Mt. Whitney. It’s certainly not the
named the peak in honor of Josiah Whitney, the California
easiest destination, and some will argue it’s just the opposite,
State Geologist. Apparently, three fishermen from Lone Pine
but everyone agrees that it is one of the most popular hikes. In
had not heard the news. At noon on August 18, 1873, the men
fact, it is such a crowd pleaser that a special permit is required
made it to the top and the folks at Lone Pine wasted no time,
and only a limited number are issued.
proudly christening the mountain “Fisherman’s Peak.” The
What makes getting to the top of Mt. Whitney a trekker’s
town fought hard to keep the name, but the name Mt.
dream? For many, the desire is obvious. Pushing skyward to
Whitney ultimately remained.
about 14,500 ft. in elevation, it’s the tallest mountain in the
In 1871, Clarence King, U.S. Geologist, climbed what he
continental United States—earning successful hikers
thought was Mt. Whitney, but later discovered that in the
enviable bragging rights. The history of the mountain also
cloudy weather he had summited another nearby mountain.
adds to its mysticism. According to early pioneer, Tulare
About a month after the three fishermen made their claim,
County historian, and respected California Supreme Court
King corrected his misidentification and made it to the top
Judge William Wallace, native Paiute people paid homage to
of the real Mt. Whitney. 22
