Mount Whitney, California

December 01, 2015

P1020643

Photographer: Nel Graham
Summary Author: Nel Graham

Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain in the contiguous 48 United States, at 14,496 ft (4,418 m) above sea level. It was named for Josiah Whitney, the first head of the California Geological Survey from 1860 - 1874. Mount Whitney is part of the Sierra Nevada batholith, a huge mass of granitic rock which rose between 80 - 180 million years ago to form what is now California's longest mountain range. The hike to the top is very popular with experienced and ambitious hikers, with a length of 10.5 mi (16.9 km) one way and a 6,000 ft (1,830 m) elevation gain. This picture was taken October 26, 2015, from the Alabama Hills in Owen's Valley looking west.

Photo Details: Camera Make, Panasonic; Camera Model, DMC-TZ4; Exposure Time, 0.00125 second; Lens F-Number, ƒ/4.7; ISO Speed Ratings, 100; Focal Length, 21.8 mm.