In Spanish, "sierra" means "saw." Because of the saw-like appearance of a mountain range, with its row of sharp peaks, many mountain ranges came to be called "Sierra" in Spanish, including the Sierra Morena in southern Spain, the Sierra Negra in the Philippines, and the Sierra Madre in Mexico. When most people say "the Sierras," however, they mean the Sierra Nevada mountain range of the southwestern United States.
The Sierra Nevada mountain range runs north-to-south for about 400 miles through the states of California and Nevada. Most of its area is in California, dominating the eastern part of the state. The Sacramento River drains to the northwest, while the San Joaquin River carries meltwater from the Sierras to the southwest. The range varies in width, but averages about 70 miles west to east. Its highest point is Mt. Whitney, which is 14,505 feet. Mt. Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States.
During the fall, winter and spring, heavy snows are common in the Sierra Nevada, usually above 6,000 feet. Summers are dry and mild. The Sierras have a number of different ecosystems. Scrub and chapparal exist at low altitudes, while the higher slopes are wooded, with alpine meadows in the highest areas. Yosemite Valley sits in the lower forested zone. Animals found in the Sierras include the gray owl, mule deer, skunk, coyote, gray squirrel and sometimes grizzly bear.
Many different Native American communities inhabited the Sierra Nevada region. Northern Paiute lived on the eastern side, while Mono and Miwok communities lived on the west. High mountain passes sometimes produce finds of Native American artifacts, indicating that they were important trade routes. The first European to reach the Sierras was Pedro Fages, the Spanish governor of the Californias, who sighted the mountains in 1772. The name was first applied to them on a 1777 map. Exploration of the mountains continued for over a century, not finishing until the United States Geological Survey published a map in 1912.
The Sierras are a popular destination for travelers who enjoy outdoor activities. Hiking trails include the John Muir Trail, finished in 1938, which runs from Mt. Whitney to Yosemite Valley. Lake Tahoe is a popular destination for boating and swimming, and Yosemite National Park is known for its natural beauty. In addition to the mountains and lakes themselves, a popular sight is the towering giant sequoias, Sequoiadendron giganteum, the largest trees in the world.
