Description
Heads on the southwest slope of the Panamint Range 2.9 km (1.8 mi) east of Panamint Butte, extends southwest to the east side of Panamint Valley 11.7 km (7.3 mi) northeast of Panamint Springs. (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.)