Information
Nearby Trails
| Status: | Open |
| Typically Open: | Year Round |
| Difficulty: | 1-2
( EASY
)
|
| Length: | 5.8 miles |
| Highest Elevation: | 4857 feet |
| Duration: | About 1 hour, 30 minutes |
| Shape of Trail: | Other Shapes |
| Best Direction to Travel: | N/A |
| Nearest Town: | Lone Pine |
| Nearest Town w/ Services: | Lone Pine |
| Official Road Name: | Alabama Hills |
| Management Agency: | Bureau of Land Management |
| District: | Bishop Field Office |
Showing 0 trails within 2 miles
Highlights
Just outside Lone Pine, California, Alabama Hills - Movie Flat is a place where ancient, jagged rock formations enclose on the easy going, winding, off-road trails, and the snow covered Mount Whitney, in the eastern Sierra Nevadas, towers above you to the west.
Alabama Hills is a unique California destination and a popular movie and television shoot location.
Among the rock croppings of the Alabama Hills you will find some great camping, hiking and plenty of opportunities to explore the maze of trails throughout this incredible place.
Route Information
Advanced Rating System 
Recommended Vehicle:
2WD Vehicle with High Clearance
Concerns:
Summary:
Mild rocky sections give this trail it's rating.
Technical Rating:
1-2
( EASY
)
Dirt and/or rocky road. Potential rocks and/or tree stumps less than 5" tall and/or vertical ledges less than 5" tall and/or near vertical ledges or waterfalls less than 6" inches. Good tire placement likely. Can be steep, but with good traction.
Read more about our rating system Description
The trails throughout the Alabama Hills - Movie Flat area are easy dirt and sand roads. The few challenging sections include tight rock alleyways, moderately steep, but short, dirt / sand hills, some tight turns and a few small, smooth rocks to drive over. This guide covers only a portion of what this area has to offer. Alabama Hills includes many more unique features and unnamed, unmarked off-road trails. This guide only provides an overview of the area east of Movie Road.
Most of the off-road trails in Alabama Hills will end at a highpoint, a large loop ( most with room for camping ), or a hiking trail.
Waypoints
1. Whitney Portal / Movie Flat Road (0 mi)
The easiest access into the Alabama Hills area is on Movie Flat Road, off Whitney Portal.
2. End of Pavement on Movie Road (0.6 mi)
The dirt trails begin here, at the BLM Alabama Hills sign. Movie Flat Road continues as a wide, graded dirt road. Watch for open trails to either side of Movie Flat Road to head into the rock croppings.
3. Cliff Lookout (1.3 mi)
Here is an example of the great views found throughout this area. The trail ends here, at a small cliff, with views to the west.
4. Scenic Loop (1.6 mi)
This point is a great example of the numerous loops many of the trails lead to.
5. Amigo Rocks (1.85 mi)
Here is a short hill up to an open turnaround point at the Amigo Rocks; a few vertical standing rocks that watch over the valley below.
6. Twist Hill (1.95 mi)
This is one of the few, slightly harder, but still easy, areas of the Alabama Hills trails. Twist your way up and over this small hill and around the boulders on each side.
7. Rock Loop / Hike Trail (2.5 mi)
Here is a large loop at the end of the trail. A hiking trail continues on, but 4x4s will need to turn back.
8. Dead End / Hike Trail (2.9 mi)
Here is another loop at the end of the trail, a hiking trail continues on, but 4x4s will need to turn back.
9. Green Loop (3.24 mi)
This is a popular spot for camping, with tall rocks enclosing three sides, a large loop for parking and a great view of the higher hills and greenery below.
10. Squeeze (3.7 mi)
This might be the tightest alleyway in the area (at least for 4x4 vehicles). A Jeep JK just barley fits through here with a minimal climb up the sides. Wider vehicles may want to bypass this point.
11. High Loop (4.7 mi)
This is another good location for camping. About half way up the hill you get views of the rocky valley below.
12. High Ground Camp (5.8 mi)
If you want a camp with a view, here it is. The High Ground Camp overlooks Movie Flat Road and most of the trails below.
Directions to Trailhead
Trailhead Coordinates:
36.595572,
-118.108749
Starting Point: Lone Pine
Head west on Whitney Portal Road. Movie Flat Road is 1.8 miles west of the 395, just off Whitney Portal Road.
Camping
Dispersed
Alabama Hills is free and opened to dispersed camping. Camp anywhere, just don't block the trails. This area is full of easily accessable turnouts and loops for tent or RV camping, but there are no facilities.
Lone Pine, just a few miles east, includes numerous motels, restaurants and gas stations.
For individual use only, not to be shared.