Mt. Andrea Lawrence naming made official by President Obama
January 14th, 2013 by Geoff, Executive Director
It’s official! Peak 12,240 on the border between Yosemite National Park and the Inyo National Forest is now named Mt. Andrea Lawrence, thanks to legislation signed into law last week by President Obama.
The newly named Mt. Andrea Lawrence, center, on the boundary of Yosemite National Park, January 2013. Photo by Geoffrey McQuilkin.
The prominent but previously unnamed peak, which has been visited by several Mono Lake Committee staff members since the naming effort began, has sweeping views across Yosemite, the upper San Joaquin River drainage, and the Rush Creek–Mono Lake watershed.
Andrea Mead Lawrence, alpine skiing Olympic double gold medalist, mother of five, visionary environmental leader, and 16-year Mono County Supervisor, passed away in 2009. Among these many achievements, she was an inspirational leader in the effort to protect Mono Lake for future generations. You can read all about Andrea in our memorial Mono-logue post.
The legislation to name the peak in her honor was advanced by California Senator Barbara Boxer and Congressman Buck McKeon. The naming has been broadly supported by many, including Andrea’s family, the Mono Lake Committee, the Mono County Board of Supervisors, the Wilderness Society, and former County Supervisor Vikki Bauer.
“Andrea Lawrence was an Olympic champion who dedicated her life to protecting the treasures of the Eastern Sierra.” Senator Boxer said. “Her passion and achievements were larger than life, which is why I cannot think of a more fitting tribute than to name this majestic peak in her honor.”
