Owens Peak is the highest point in the southern Sierra Nevada, at more than 8400 ft 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 74060 acre. 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 mi west-northwest of Inyokern and 159 mi 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).