Near Mammoth Lakes in Mono County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Owens Valley
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Owens Valley Marker
Extending from Bishop south for 100 miles, the valley was inhabited by Indians for many years. Joseph Walker in 1833 was the first white man to discover the valley. In 1845 John C. Fremont named the valley, a river and a lake, after Richard Owens, an army captain in his expedition to this area.
Erected 1982 by E Clampus Vitus Slim Princess Chapter No. 395.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.
Location. 37° 31.132′ N, 118° 36.235′ W. Marker is near Mammoth Lakes, California, in Mono County. It is on Three Flags Highway (State Highway 395), on the right when traveling south. The marker is located at the southbound vista point on Highway 395 south of Sherwin Summit. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mammoth Lakes CA 93546, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pine Creek Mine (approx. 5½ miles away); Crowley Lake (approx. 9 miles away); a different marker also named Crowley Lake (approx. 9 miles away); Millpond Recreation Area (approx. 11.3 miles away);
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Crowley Lake (was approx. 9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. New interpretive signs here describe the areas geology and natural history.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 24, 2011
2. Owens Valley Marker
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 24, 2011
3. Owens Valley Marker
Owens Valley in the distance.
Photographed by Craig Baker, November 2, 2025
4. Owens Valley and Marker
Interpretive signs describe local geology.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,313 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 27, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on November 30, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4. submitted on November 4, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
