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2 triplogs
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Aug 04 2025
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 Guides 25
 Routes 376
 Photos 5,897
 Triplogs 346

40 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Alabama Hills Wandering, CA 
Alabama Hills Wandering, CA
 
Hiking avatar Aug 04 2025
John10sTriplogs 346
Hiking3.08 Miles 432 AEG
Hiking3.08 Miles   1 Hour   16 Mns   2.60 mph
432 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 
Partners none no partners
Before driving back to Phoenix, I headed out to Alabama Hills to explore the area again, this time at sunrise instead of sunset. I started at Arch Loop and expected to see a lot of people out there for sunrise pictures, but the parking lot was empty, and I only ended up seeing one other person. The sky had some nice color, and I was there in time to catch the first light hitting the Sierras. I went off the main loop and found a few other arches I'd missed on my previous visit.

Next was a brief stop to go over to The Eye of Alabama near Movie Flat Road, then on to Boot and Cyclops Arches. The morning lighting provided a nice contrast between the light rock of the Sierras and the darker rock in the foreground. I pulled over briefly at the Iron Man film site overlook, then made a final stop to see Three Brothers, the petroglyph/pictographs, and Gene Autry Rock. It was good to stretch the legs and get a short hike in before 8+ hours on the road, and a nice end to a fun trip.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Mount Whitney 14,505
 
Jul 31 2025
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 Guides 25
 Routes 376
 Photos 5,897
 Triplogs 346

40 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Alabama Hills Wandering, CA 
Alabama Hills Wandering, CA
 
Hiking avatar Jul 31 2025
John10sTriplogs 346
Hiking3.05 Miles 350 AEG
Hiking3.05 Miles
350 ft AEG
Partners none no partners
I got a permit to hike Mt. Whitney in early August, so I took a few days off work and turned it into a long weekend trip. The drive from Phoenix to Lone Pine took a little over eight hours with a few stops, and I arrived with plenty of daylight left, so I decided to check out Alabama Hills. It's only a 10-minute drive from Lone Pine and packs a lot of fantastic scenery into a short outing.

I made a quick stop at Nightmare Rock before turning onto Movie Flat Road, then parked near Three Brothers and found the alcove with the petroglyphs/pictographs--a little faded but still cool to see. As I explored that area, I passed Gene Autry Rock before driving to the the next stop at Arch Loop Trail. That's the most popular spot in the area and has a parking lot, bathrooms, and a signed trail. There were a few other vehicles in the lot and quite a few people on the loop, particularly around Mobius Arch, so I didn't spend much time there.

Farther down the road, I stopped again and checked out Boot and Cyclops Arches and had those to myself as the sun dropped behind the Sierras. Cyclops was the highlight, with two big arches and a smaller one in that single rock formation (which begs the question why a triple arch is called cyclops), and the views of Whitney and the other peaks at that time of the evening were impressive. Driving back toward Lone Pine, I pulled off at a small parking area that overlooks the Iron Man film site. Beautiful area, and nice to get a few miles of hiking in on a mostly driving day to start the trip.
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Natural Arch
 
average hiking speed 2.6 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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