Dog Friendly: Yes, with leash
Filed Under: Camping, Climbing, Cycling, Hiking, Running
The Alabama Hills gather their name from a Confederate warship responsible for wreaking havoc to northern shipping during the Civil War. Prospectors sympathetic to the Confederate cause named their mining claims after the Alabama and eventually the name stuck to these unique hills.
The fame of the C.S.S Alabama was both brilliant and short lived. Yankee warships finally cornered the Alabama off the coast of Normandy. There, in a running gun battle with the Northern steamsailer, U.S.S. Kearsarge, she was sunk in the summer of 1864. This event provided northern sympathetic miners to indulge in the art of "one-upmanship," by naming a whole mining district, mountain pass, a peak and a town, "Kearsarge".
The campground is shadowed by some of the most impressive peaks in the Sierra Nevada Range. Mt. Whitney, Lone Fine Peak, and Mt. Williamson rise to the west of the campground. Camping is in an open desert setting on an alluvial fan. Spread out to the east are the Alabama Hills, with their famous movie history and terrific exploring.
While enjoying the scenic and recreational values of the Alabama Hills, hikers, rock climbers and sightseers should use the utmost caution at all times. The few remaining mine shafts and tunnels in the general area should be avoided because of the extreme hazards they represent. False bottoms might give away or tunnels collapse because of deteriorated shoring timbers. The Alabama Hills are beautiful, but there are hazards that could injure the unwary or unprepared visitor.
Directions
Coming either from the south or north on US395, after entering the town of Lone Pine, turn east on to Whitney Road. (At the traffic light) Approximately one mile east on the Whitney Portal Road, there is visitor information pull-off with information and a map of the recreation area.
It is suggested that visitors stop at the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center @ 126 S. Main Street to obtain maps and information prior to heading into Alabama Hills
Comments
Be the first to leave a comment, advice, or personal anecdote.
Leave a Comment