CALIFORNIA

Probably you have been many times to this part of Inyo County, in Lone Pine, California. But you may just not be aware of the name of the place. The Alabama Hills, in Lone Pine, are a popular location for television and movie productions especially Western movies set in an archetypical “rugged” environment. Only 3.5 hours from Los Angeles, Hollywood has made this their location whenever they need an Old Western atmosphere, Sci-fi movies, Himalayas, or India. The majestic peaks of the Easter Sierra provide for a perfect backdrop.

Granite Peaks of Eastern Sierra

Arch @ Alabama Hills

John Wayne (Lawless Range, Tycoon, etc), Mel Gibson ( Maverick) , Clint Eastwood (Joe Kidd), Russel Crowe (Gladiator), Nicolas Cage (Gone in 60 seconds), Charlie Sheen (Terminal Velocity) are six of the many actors and actresses who had made use of this uniquely beautiful and rugged setting.  The epic film “How the West Was Won” selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”, was filmed mostly here in Alabama Hills, and so is Star Trek Generation.

Alabama Hills from Visitor Center on Hwy 395 @ Lone Pine

Lone Pine is nestled at the base of the Eastern Sierra. This historical town is known as Hollywood’s West and Gateway to fun. From the picture above, Alabama Hills is right next to Highway 395. Hard it may be to believe, but you just take 2.5 miles West of Highway 395 along Whitney Portal Road and you will be transported in a place somewhere in time or somewhere out there in far away land, where all you see are sea of rocky outcrops, as far as your eyes can see.

Sea of Rocks and Boulders

And where did the town of Lone Pine go? Disappeared, in just a matter of minutes! It is hard not to be overwhelmed with these incredible rock pile formations of all shapes and forms, much like in Joshua Tree National Park.  Tucked away here and there are rock arches formed by time and the elements.

On Top of Arch Rock

Another Arch Rock

Just Me

Gateway to Fun

Photographers from all over the country come to photograph the amazing view here at Alabama Hills. But I actually have no idea before about Lone Pine and Alabama Hills. We were going to Death Valley National Park then, and coming from San Diego, our entry to Death Valley was at Lone Pine. When we stopped at the Inter-agency Visitor Center before proceeding to Death Valley, I came across a picture frame of Alabama Hills Arch framing the snow capped Sierra peaks. I asked the ranger where is this place, and he smiled at me, telling me, “right there”, pointing at the hills that can be seen from the glass window.

Inter-Agency Visitor Center (with Alabama Hills seen at the glass window)

Then, he gave us a map on how to go to Movie Portal Road, which is 2.5 miles West of Highway 395 along Whitney Portal. The map also has detailed instructions on how to go to the different arches, and to the different movie and TV locations. Of course, we were not able to go to all sites in the map as we told ourselves we would have so many chances of stopping by at Lone Pine. It is in very strategic location for Southern Californians traveling to Yosemite Or Death Valley or Lake Tahoe or anywhere in the Eastern Sierra as this place is just right along Hwy 395 where they will really pass through. Because of its accessibility, we have made Lone Pine one of our fun stops whenever we pass by the area.

Amongst The Rocks

Can you find me?

Alabama Hills are known to have the same age as the Sierra , both being formed a few million years ago by faulting. In fact, the boulders in Alabama Hills are identical in composition with the Sierra. The difference in their appearance comes from the different weathering process. Up high, the freezing, expanding and thawing of rainwater and melting snow has caused the more chiseled splintering of the granite. Down in the warmer valley, the Alabamas took shape when “the climate was more moist and the rock was covered with soil,” according to a recent geologist’s report printed in “California’s Eastern Sierra” by Sue Irwin. As the climate became drier, erosion slowly stripped away the soil mantle, exposing and shaping the piles of boulders we see today. - http://www.lonepinechamber.org/sightseeing/alabama-hills.html.

Aside from Alabama Hills and Death Valley National Park, another popular destination in Lone Pine is Mt. Whitney. Every year thousands travel to Whitney Portal with their hearts set on attaining the summit of Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States.

Mt. Whitney

From Movie Portal, if you continue 10 miles West on Whitney Portal road, you will reach the trailhead for hiking to Mt. Whitney summit. Most people hike the trail from mid-July through early October when the trail is free of most snow. However, ice patches and snowfields may exist on the trail at any time. Even in summer the following conditions may exist at the trail to Mt Whitney’s summit: rain, wind, lightning, snow, ice and below freezing temperatures.

For more information about Lone Pine, please click http://www.lonepinechamber.org/