Monday, May 2, 2016

More From Alabama Hills

 

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Despite some high winds and a little rain, it’s been a good week in the Alabama Hills. The clouds have made for great photos, and we love being able to hike for miles right out our door.

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David and Mary arrived on Friday and we took them for a little hike to the nearby Tuttle Creek Ashram, a former spiritual center below Mount Whitney. The road gets pretty steep and rough so where we parked added about a half mile to the hike, 3.9 miles round trip with over 1,300’ of climbing, but well worth the effort.

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With it still snowing in the mountains almost daily we decided not to attempt a high elevation hike this time around. Since we had not been to Independence other than driving through, we took a ride there to check out Mazourka Canyon Road, which goes up into the Inyo mountains on the east side of Hwy 395. This was once a prosperous mining district and there is evidence all along the drive.

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Although narrow, the dirt road was in good condition but we decided to turn back a couple miles from the 8,000’ summit since the temperature had already dropped into the 40s, we got a few drops of rain, and it was windy.

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Not pleasant hiking weather so we went back down to a jeep road that led to a mine, where we hiked up the road a mile or so but didn’t make it to the mine. It was warmer but we could barely keep our hats on for the wind.

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We did enjoy the views, though.

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We also visited the historic Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery. It was damaged by a devastating mudslide in 2008 and is no longer an active hatchery, but the building is still open for visitors with a gift shop and small but interesting museum inside. The grounds are beautiful, and can be rented for weddings.

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The story is that in 1915, Fish and Game Commissioner M. J. Connell instructed the design team  "to design a building that would match the mountains, would last forever, and would be a showplace for all time."  We think they did an excellent job, at a cost of $60,000 in 1917 dollars.

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And one last hike through the Alabama Hills yesterday afternoon before the rain.

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Our very own Subaru commercial.

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Today we move north to Bishop.

19 comments:

  1. Thanks for the wonderful trip through the hills.
    Do the hikes every chance you can while you still can.

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    1. We hike every chance we get for that very reason.

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  2. Alabama Hills is the CA version of Moab, it just does not disappoint Taking 395 along the Eastern Sierra never fails to amaze and delight. We try to do a little bit of something new each year as we pass through - like the AMPM commercial 'Too much good stuff". You've given us a few more good ideas for June. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Unlike Moab, though, the crowds haven't yet discovered the Alabama Hills. Hope they never do.

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  3. I feel chilly just looking at all that snow!! It was near 80 today here in Spokane. Summer is on the way.

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    1. 80 already? That doesn't bode well for summer.

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  4. Ahhh...so love this area. Have never been to the Hatchery so that's new for me. Don't know where you're going from here, but if you make it to June Lake don't miss the Smoked Porter at June Lake Brewing.
    Nina

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    1. Thanks for the brewery info. Must be new since 2013. Not sure we'll make it to June Lake this time but if we do will definitely check it out.

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  5. The hike up to the Ashram is sure worth the effort...short, steep, and sweet:) Luckily, we were able to get to the end of the road. The rocking chair is new!

    Oh, how I love the Hills with the dramatic snowy mountains in the background! We will definitely be returning!!

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    1. There was no rocking chair when we were there in 2013. The first time we did that hike Jim drove farther up the road but I wouldn't let him this time :-)

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  6. I'm going to order Jim a pair of YakTrax so he will have no excuse.

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    1. You know for Jim it's not the snow on the ground but the frigid temperature of the air!

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  7. Beautiful! I so wish I was there right now!

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  8. Such an incredible area. Isn't the hatchery just a beautiful place? Love that the locals have continued to care for it even after the closure. If you continue north check out the Crowley Columns along the east side of the lake. They may not be visible anymore if the lake level is up, but worth seeing if you can.

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    1. The hatchery is beautiful. We did see the columns when we were at Crowley Lake in Sept 2013 and if I remember the water level was very low.

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  9. So beautiful -- your photos are wonderful. We also love the Alabama Hills. It's such a peaceful place -- we were alone on our hikes when we were there last fall (except when we were hiking with Pam and John). The ashram is still on our list. But we'll be doing the longer hike (as you did) instead of driving too far on that treacherous road!

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  10. We are headed that way in a couple of months. Thanks for the places to go. Stay warm.

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  11. Amazing place! Love your photos!!

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  12. The Alabama Hills is an area I could come back to time and time again. I so love the changing colors of the boulders as the light is filtered through the clouds. And I never grow tired of those billowy clouds that hover above the mountain ranges. We have not been to the fish hatchery so thanks for taking me there. Enjoy Bishop!

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