ALABAMA HILLS

The Alabama Hills begin along Whitney Portal Road, and continue on Movie Road north to Moffatt Ranch Road. To get there, leave the village of Lone Pine by driving along Whitney Portal Road for 4 km, then turn right onto Movie Road. These ochre and gold rock formations appeared at the same time as the Sierra Nevada, 82 to 150 million years ago, as a result of major seismic activity. Sculpting a veritable sea of rocks in the middle of the desert, the granite blocks have been extraordinarily shaped by time and erosion. The natural arches are undoubtedly the most breathtaking elements. The name of the site is inspired by an episode of the American Civil War. In 1864, Southern Confederate sympathizers wanted to pay tribute to the CSS Alabama, a Confederate warship that destroyed much of the Union merchant fleet. Since the 1920s, the site has become a popular location for many film and television productions. With more than 150 films shot in the area, the spirit of Gene Autry, John Wayne, Gary Cooper or Kirk Douglas is truly part of the place.

A 27-mile map of the Alabama Hills is available free of charge at the Film History Museum or at the Chamber of Commerce. It outlines the western film locations and major points of interest to be discovered in a few hours.