Manly Beacons SSW

Larger view available, may not be needed for this image. Manly

Beacon is an icon of Death Valley National Park. William L. Manly

was a California pioneer and prospector, born in Vermont, who

headed west via Ohio and Michigan. His 1849 book, Death Valley

'49, is an account of his travels with John Rogers. They had a

challenge to trek from Death Valley to Los Angeles in 15 days.

Here's an exerpt from the book: “In the morning we filled our

canteens, which we had made by binding two powder cans together

with strips of cloth, and started for the summit. From this was the

grandest sight we ever beheld. Looking east we could see the

country we had been crawling over since November 4th. "Just look

at the cursed country we have come over!" said Rogers as he

pointed over it. To the north was the biggest mountain we ever saw,

peaks on peaks and towering far above our heads, and covered

with snow which was apparently everlasting.

This mountain seemed to have very few trees on it, and in extent,

as it reached away to the north seemed interminable. South was a

nearly level plain, and to the west I thought I could dimly see a

range of mountains that held a little snow upon their summits, but

on the main range to the south there was none. It seemed to me

the dim snowy mountains must be as far as 200 miles away, but of

course I could not judge accurately. After looking at this grand, but

worthless landscape long enough to take in its principal features we

asked each other what we supposed the people we left behind

would think to see mountains so far ahead.

Your comments on this image are appreciated. Thanks. Larry

very effective contrast and nicely composed.