Description
Extends in a north-south direction, highest elevation at Telescope Peak, bound by Death Valley on the east and Panamint Valley on the west; [northwest end 365905N1172640W, [southeast end] 355200N1165615W. (US-T121)
History
The word Panamint reportedly refers to a division of the Shoshonean Indians, also called Koso, who once occupied the Panamint area. It is apparently derived from Southern Paiute "pa" (water) plus "niwintsi" (person). The term appears as Panamint in the report of the Nevada Boundary Commission in 1861 and was probably applied by the Darwin French party in the preceding year. (from Erwin G. Gudde. California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names.)