Deadman Canyon Loop

Mt. Silliman from Silliman Pass early spring. To the left can be seen the beginnings of The Tablelands.

Mt. Silliman

Deadman Canyon Loop - By D.W.Donehoo (All rights reserved)

This area is not only of geographical interest, but it is of historical interest as well. In 1864, the California Geological Survey expedition headed by William Brewer climbed nearby Mt. Silliman and saw the Great Western Divide, and mistook it for the Sierra Crest. They headed down to Roaring River and camped up at the lower Brewer Lake, and climbed Mt. Brewer (twice!). When they got to the top of Mt. Brewer, they were amazed to find out that not only were they not on the Sierra Crest, but there were even higher mountains than the one they were on to the southeast! Clarence King, excited by the view, got permission to take Richard Cotter with him to attempt to climb what they thought was the highest mountain in the Sierra. King later wrote a book about his epic journey, somewhat exaggerated, that was none the less an incredibly daring venture into the then unexplored Sierra. After climbing to the top of Mt. Tindall, on the Sierra Crest at last, he was flabbergasted to see yet even higher mountains to the south, one of which he named Mt. Whitney. His goal to be the first to the top of highest mountain in the Sierra was to be frustrated repeatedly and never obtained.