Alabama Hills has been on our Bucket List for some time. We scored a scenic (but perhaps not that level) site just off Movie Road. Over 400 movies have been filmed in this area.
Alabama Hills - BLM, near Lone Pine: Site not numbered - This site is: dispersed camping - no formal campsites. Campground/RV Park Notes: trails from campground • trails nearby • 4,695’ elevation. April 23rd - 30th. Miles driven: 126 miles (tap on mileage to see route & elevation change).
Pros:
• Dispersed camping.
• Opportunity to camp tucked into unique rock formations.
Cons:
• None.
Overall Experience:
Tap on thumbnail photos for a larger views & captions.
This guy has been buzzing around our campsite since we arrived 5 days ago. He flies round and round about a 10-20 foot circle behind the coach, then around the coach, repeat. All-day. He greets us when we return from outings. We have named him Buzz.
He looks bigger in the pic, but his body is probably about 1-1/2 inches long.
A short drive up the mountain from where we are camping is Whitney Portal. At 8,365 ft. elevation can be found a campground, day-use area, and the trailhead to Mt. Whitney (tallest mountain in the lower 48). Arriving, we were overtaken by the fir & pine trees' fresh fragrance, which smelled wonderful after 3 weeks, mostly in the desert. We hiked the first three miles of the trail, which didn't require a permit, to Lone Pine Lake at about 10,000 ft. elevation. The lake was still frozen over. On our return trip down the mountain, we passed many folks heading up carrying large packs with strapped-on crampons, ice axes, & helmets.
Lots of eye candy while running in Alabama Hills.
We visited Manzanar. We found it to be a fascinating presentation of a dark period in our country's history. We left feeling saddened. Actions driven by hatred & fear can do amazingly cruel things to innocent people.
Local Flavor – Area Businesses We Enjoyed & Recommend
• Alabama Hills Cafe Tasty food, that includes a nice vegetarian selection.
The Alabama Hills are a range of hills located in the Owens Valley near the town of Lone Pine in Inyo County, California. The hills are named after the CSS Alabama, a Confederate warship that operated in the area during the American Civil War. The Alabama Hills are known for their unique geological formations and natural beauty, and are a popular location for rock climbing, hiking, and photography. The area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is open to the public for recreational activities. Some popular attractions in the Alabama Hills include the Mobius Arch, the Lone Pine Peak, and the Whitney Portal. The hills are located near the base of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States.
