click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney
She was named Tamalpais (Tam-al-pie'-us) by local Miwok Indians centuries ago. Most believe her name originated from the Miwok words for "coast mountain", although others claim it comes from "Tamal"--the name Spanish missionaries gave to the Coast Miwok people and "pais" the Spanish word for "country". Others like to believe that "Tamalpais" was a "sleeping Indian Madien", as her outline can be imagined when viewed from the east, but in reality the notion of "Tamalpa", the "sleeping Indian maiden" (or goddess) originated from a 1921 theatrical production of the same name.
click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney
This gentle giant (above) has two names, Black and Elephant. These are quite descriptive. From the west when back-lit by morning sun she appears black, and from her eastern side (near the "Nicasio" that I photograph so often) her outline resembles the undulations of an elephant.
While public land and tails abound on Mt. Tamalpais, Elephant (or Black) Mountain is privately owned ranch land--off limits to day-trippers.
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