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. Now a mountaineering classic, this pioneering book 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.

"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