Alabama Hills National Scenic Area

Newsletter, August 2023

Afternoon storms on Aug.19 before the high level of rain reached Lone Pine.

Movie Rd sustained damage just east of the mobius arch trailhead and at the other larger washes.

Field Work

High flows following the tropical storm damaged much of Lone Pine and has closed sections of Whitney Portal Road and Movie Road. Stay up to date with current conditions by checking the Inyo County Road Status. Please respect road closures until repairs can be made.
Trails and side roads off Movie Road remain mostly unaffected by flooding with the exception of accessing Cattle Pocket by vehicle. Be cautious of loose sand and unstable road edges.
Tuttle Creek Campground is open and accessible, with the south loop of the campground opened September 1 to accommodate group and corral sites.
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 clean out fire rings, collect trash, monitor camping behavior, 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 a photo to share? Email ashley@esiaonline.org

A well camouflaged blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Ashley Anderson, ESIA

Alabama Hills Camping Agreement

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.

August 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: 2537
Kiosk at Whitney Portal Entrance Station: N/A with closures
North Entrance: 1558
Mobius Arch Trail Foot Traffic: 283
Chicken Ranch: 21

This month's data was collected August 1- August 26, 2023

Events

Upcoming BLM-Sponsored

October 7 - Observation and Art Walk with Artist in Residence Alyssa Marquez
October 14 - Oil Painting Workshop with Artist in Residence Kristen Freeborn

Upcoming Special Recreation Permit

September 16-17 – Alpinistas Collective
October 5-8 - Lone Pine Film Festival
October 13-15 - Wedding
October 21 - John Wayne Grit Foot Race

Past BLM-Sponsored

None

Past Special Recreation Permit

August 4-6 – Joshua Cripps Photography

Saturday October 14th 9AM - 80% coverage solar eclipse creating

dusk-like conditions visible in the Eastern Sierra!

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.
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.