Alabama Hills National Scenic Area

Newsletter, September 2023

Sunrise and a full moon after the first autumn dusting of snow on the alpine peaks. Ashley Anderson, ESIA.

Field Work

Over 900 lbs of the invasive Russian Thistle have been collected in September with the assistance of Dave Kirk from the Alabama Hills Stewardship Group.
Access is still limited within the Alabama Hills. Before visiting the Alabama Hills, visit the Inyo County Road Status page. Please respect road closures until repairs can be made.
Tuttle Creek Campground is now 100% open and accessible.
Friday evening tabling from BLM staff has resumed to inform and direct weekend visitors.
As a reminder, camping agreements are live. Agreements are free and do not guarantee a campsite- all camping is first come, first serve. This is an acknowledgment that campers understand the rules and guidance for designated camping. To get an agreement, please visit the webpage or talk with a ranger in the Alabama Hills.
Staff have been working hard to repair side roads, clean out fire rings, collect trash, monitor camping behavior, update signs, and educate visitors about the importance of Leave No Trace.
ESIA’s interpretive specialist has been compiling photos of wildlife in the Alabama Hills. Do you have an interesting sighting? Email Ashley at ashley@esiaonline.org

The BLM is planning to implement fuels reduction along Hogback Road this fall to protect the shrubland ecosystems from severe wildfire. The treatments will be limited to the areas of thicker brush adjacent to the road to improve access for fire fighters to keep a potential wildfire smaller. The project is part of a phased approach to the fuelbreaks that were approved in the Alabama Hills Management Plan.

Encroaching invasive Russian Thistle will compete for resources with the native plants if not strategically removed before they begin to seed.

Get Involved

Are you or your organization interested in volunteering in the Alabama Hills? Give back to your community while spending time outside in this National Scenic Area. Email ashley@esiaonline.org to connect with opportunities in clean-ups and interpretation.
Spread the word about the Alabama Hills Newsletter! Sign up here .
Share the ESIA's event calendar for up-to-date ranger programs or ESIA's social media.

Desert spiny lizard, Ashley Anderson, ESIA

September Visitation

Vehicle and foot traffic was captured using an automatic, stationary sensor. Please note that some years have more complete data than others. Where there is incomplete data, the program may estimate based on past data.

Movie Road:
Kiosk at Whitney Portal Entrance Station: N/A with closures
North Entrance:
Mobius Arch Trail Foot Traffic:
Chicken Ranch:

This month's data was collected September 1- September 29, 2023

Events

Upcoming BLM-Sponsored

October 7 – 9AM Observation & Art Walk with Artist in Residence Alyssa Marquez
October 14 – 9AM Eclipse Observation at Mobius Arch Trailhead, solar glasses provided.
October 14 – 11AM Acrylic Painting Workshop with Artist in Residence Kristen Freeborn

Upcoming Special Recreation Permit

October 1 – Wedding
October 5-8 – Lone Pine Film Festival
October 13-15 - Wedding
October 17 - Film Permit
October 20-22 - John Wayne Grit Foot Race

Past BLM-Sponsored

None

Past Special Recreation Permit

September 15-16 – Joshua Cripps Photography
September 16-17 – Alpinistas Collective
September 26-27 – Film Permit
September 28-29 – Film Permit
September 30-October 3 – Film Permit

Filming in the Alabama Hills

The Alabama Hills continues to be a destination for production companies to film movies and commercials. Since October of last year, the BLM has monitored 28 film permits in the national scenic area. From large production car commercials to small budget zombie movies and student productions.

Staffing

The BLM Recreation Department has 5 permanent and 4 seasonal team members that patrol the Alabama Hills and other BLM-managed lands. 1 law enforcement officer is specifically assigned to the Alabama Hills to assist with overnight use compliance.
Starting October 8th, 3 seasonal BLM staff will return.
ESIA has Ashley as an Interpretive Specialist working with the BLM patrolling the Alabama Hills 3 days per week. ESIA also has a Lead Naturalist, Ellie, who will host interpretive events in the Hills in the upcoming season.

Social Media

Follow Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA) on Instagram and our Facebook page. ESIA staff attempts to schedule an Alabama Hills related post at least once a week during the peak Hills season, but slows during the summer months.
Follow the Bureau of Land Management- California Facebook page for information about California Public Lands, including the Alabama Hills!
Follow the Alabama Hills Stewardship Group on Facebook.