Large photographic image of East Lake by Wolfskill

[Marielita]

Hello everyone, I have this large 60 inches x 20 inches image in looks like period original frame Hello everyone, I have this large 60 inches x 20 inches image in looks like period original frame of East Lake signed Wolfskill and dated 1911, I was trying to get any info on internet but it only show me couple of different images (same artist) at US Library of Congress, would any of you expert have any info ? I would appreciate any help thank you in advance.
{Moderator: click on thumbnails to enlarge}

 

[MattKing]

Post edited to remove image duplicates and leave in thumbnail form - for readability!

 

[DREW WILEY]

Interesting. I have no specific knowledge of the photographer. If it's a contact print it would have been quite a bit or work to lug the gear up there, though a mule train might explain it. But if the negative was enlarged later, which it appears to be, that would explain it better. Sadly, I've never gotten to East Lake or further up the creek to Lake Reflection myself. It's a pretty hot haul up from the bottom at Cedar Grove, and now a way too popular loop trail for my own taste, though the East Lake branch-off itself doesn't seem to get crowded. One of these day, maybe. All the horrible forest fire smoke the last two years cancelled any chance then.
I've been above there. But the strenuous off-trail crossing of the Kings-Kern Divide in the background, long on my bucket list, in not likely to ever happen due to the fact I'm already approaching my mid-70's. But I've seen the other side of it anyway, on previous trips from the other directions.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Please stay around and ...

Welcome to APUG Photrio!!​

 

[DREW WILEY]

OK - follow-up. He was using a panoramic camera, and made a whole series of photos, most of them stitched in pairs for an especially wide view. The 1911 mule train went in from the east side over Kearsarge Pass, to several well-known viewpoint locations including Bullfrog Lake along the way, and down Bubbs Creek to the East Fork branch. There are other panoramic pictures of the Kings- Kern Divide from a greater distance.

What makes all this interesting is that it was well before Ansel Adams did any of his own work in the area, which was highly instrumental in the formation of Kings Canyon National Park later, and certainly long before the Muir Trail or other convenient approaches. Kearsarge Pass like many others was used by native Americans for thousands of years before, then by early sheepherders; but would have been more difficult to cross than now, though hardly one of the more difficult passes of the area. I was last in that area last summer, but couldn't do much due to all the unhealthy smoke. I also grew up in that area, but on the western slope. I knew quite a few old timers and very old Indians who roamed and explored parts of that range long before that became a recreational thing, or anything resembling the Sierra Club existed. Knew one old Indian who had crossed an even higher more difficult pass barefoot as a teenager.

There are specialty dealers in this kind of early California photography. The one here is seldom open due to poor owner health. The Oakland Museum is a major holder of such collections.
Check out owensvalleyhistory.com : Vintage High Sierra Panoramas page. I have my own early photos collection.

 

[Marielita]

Drew thank you so much for the info I really appreciate
I just found really interesting couple of articles about Matt Ashby Wolfskill and his family

Irma Douglasas Wolfskill Suicide

Clipping found in The San Francisco Examiner published in San Francisco, California on 5/25/1953. Irma Douglasas Wolfskill Suicide

www.newspapers.com

 

[DREW WILEY]

I should probably stop in and chat with someone in one of the little east side museums next time I'm in the area. A well-known landmark in Big Pine is linked to my own family history, but in the 1890's, and just down the street from Mary Austin's house-museum, which is now an official historical site. But there is quite a bit more on the web about Edith Wolfskill instead. Thanks for bringing this photographer to our attention.

 

[Marielita]

Again thank you for all you help, one more question, how did they make such a large image ? is it gelatin print ?