The Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains in California is a gorgeous area filled with small towns, exciting drives, smoothed volcanic rock waterfalls, the highest points in the lower 48, unbelievably beautiful hikes to Alpine lakes, and so much more. Between the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains to the west and the Inyo & White Mountains to the east is Owens Valley and that’s where all the adventures for this region begin.

Whitney Portal is 13 miles west of Lone Pine and at the Portal is the trailhead to Mount Whitney (the tallest point in the Contiguous United States), plenty of camping spots, numerous bear boxes, restrooms, a store, a restaurant with some after hiking drinks, and plenty of beautiful scenery such as the granite faces of mountains, towering pines, and waterfalls.

Wether you’re in Lone Pine, Ridgecrest, Bishop, or Independence there are plenty of museums, restaurants, sporting goods stores, and more in the small towns to keep you busy, fed, warm, and supplied.

If you’re interested in ideas for hikes, maps for your adventures, or just general information of the area, you will do no wrong by visiting the staffed Visitor Center south of Lone Pine. They even have an awesome giant model of California showing the Sierra Nevadas, the Mojave, the Coast, and Death Valley.

There are also plenty of amazing roads that take you up into and if the weather permits, through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Onion Valley has the trailhead for Kearsarge Pass.

On the way up to Whitney Portal, don’t forget to climb around and marvel at the beautiful Alabama Hills.

Chimney Peak Wilderness and the other surrounding wildernesses at the southern end also have tons of opportunities for camping, shooting, hiking, and driving.

The Eastern Sierra Nevadas Region is an amazing ecosystem where the Mojave Desert, the Great Basin, and the Alpine Peaks all meet to create a beautiful area of towering mountains, deserts, lakes, and ancient geography. Not to mention some of the best views in the country.