  We report the discovery of a probable L1 companion to the nearby K2 dwarf GJ
1048 using the Two Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS). This source, 2MASSI
J0235599-233120 or GJ 1048B, has 2MASS near-infrared colors and absolute
magnitudes consistent with an early L dwarf companion with a projected
separation of 250 A.U. The L1 spectral type is confirmed by far-red optical and
low-resolution IR spectroscopy. We present evidence that GJ 1048 is a young
(<~1 Gyr) system, and that GJ 1048B may be a high-mass brown dwarf below the
hydrogen-burning limit. Additional studies of the GJ 1048 system will help
constrain the characteristics of L dwarfs as a function of age and mass.
