The Alabama Hills Recreation & National Scenic Area in the Eastern Sierra Nevadas of California is an interesting & fun geological landscape filled with rounded rocks where you can see the jagged peaks of the highest mountains in the Continental United States including Mount Whitney. There are great hikes and plenty of high desert dirt roads to romp around in.

Over 400 movies were filmed in the exciting desert landscape named after a Confederate warship, the C.S.S. Alabama. There are campgrounds, natural arches & windows that have been carved out of the rocks such as Mobius Arch (.6 mile loop hike) and the Eye of the Alabama, wildlife such as the large black Chuckwalla Lizard and the Townsend’s Big-eared Bat, and some of the movies include Django Unchained, Iron Man, Tremors, and plenty of old-school westerns.

While all of that is fun and awesome, the biggest draw, in my opinion is the views of the Inyo Mountains to the east and to the west, the Eastern Sierra Nevadas, especially the sharp and jagged peaks of Mount Whitney.

For the best and quietest views, head down the high-clearance Hogback Road and bounce around the dirt while admiring the amazing mountains.

The Hills are located right off of Whitney Portal Road due west from Lone Pine’s downtown area. While in the town, make sure to stock up on snacks and gear, visit the Museums like the Film History Museum, have your picture taken at the Wild West Show Studios Old West Museum, or grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants. My wife and I went to The Grill where not only did we have the nicest server but our food was very good. We weren’t expecting much but we were very happy. The half rack of ribs were exactly what we needed before hiking and exploring the Alabama Hills and Mountains.