Geography Independence, California

mount williamson (14,375 feet or 4,382 metres), 1 of spectacular peaks of john muir wilderness, near independence airport

the tiny village of independence bisected u.s. route 395, main north-south highway through owens valley.

the sierra nevada mountains west lie within john muir wilderness area. onion valley, 1 of principal entry routes john muir wilderness, accessed via onion valley road heads directly west out of independence. trail takes hikers kings canyon/sequoia national parks protect sierra nevada west of divide between owens valley on east , rivers drain san joaquin valley west.

onion valley road

independence popular resupply location hikers trekking 2,650 mile long pacific crest trail extends mexican border canada along crest of sierra nevada , cascade ranges. highest pass along entire trail, 13,153 foot (4009 m) forester pass, directly west of independence.

this granite monolith, winnedumah-paiute monument, rises prominently crest of inyo mountains east of independence.

according united states census bureau, independence covers area of 4.9 square miles (13 km), on 99% of land.

the elevation of independence 3,925 feet (1,196 m) above sea level.