What direction do rivers flow at the highest point in California and why?

Answer 1

The highest point in California is Mount Whitney. Mount Whitney is part of the Sierra Nevada Range. The west side of the range (including the west side of Whitney) drains to the west, and the east side drains to the east.

The prevailing winds in the region bring moisture from the Pacific to be deposited on the western slopes of Whitney and that water flows down as Whitney Creek. Whitney Creek continues west until meeting the Kern River, which flows north and west. This is the major flow from Mount Whitney.

Lone Pine Creek collects the runoff from the eastern slope of Mount Whitney. This water is directed into two Los Angeles aqueducts rather than a natural flow into the Owens River.