Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Things to do around Lone Pine area

I will be visiting Lone Pine at the beginning of July, and I just reserved a room at the Hostel for a couple nights. Thanks again Doug!

Anyways, I will be doing some small hikes to help my body acclimate, but I was curious what else is worth seeing or doing in the area. I will have a rental vehicle, so driving a little bit in any direction shouldn't be a problem.

Also, and suggested places to eat or drink?

Thanks in advance!

Nothing to see here... just keep moving... OK, really, just kidding.

Manzanar National Historic Site
Eastern Sierra Museum (Independence)
Film Museum (LP)

Alabama Hills Cafe (breakfast/dinner)
Seasons/Merry-Go-Round (dinner) -- expensive but worth it if you ask me.
Haven't eaten at the cafe in Indy, but I've heard it's wonderful.

If you make it up to Bishop, believe it or not, the BOWLING ALLEY has a great restaurant!! And Petite Pantry, my personal fave.

I agree with Moosie -- Nothing to see, just keep movin'

It would take most of a day, but if you have the time, go east from Big Pine into the White Mountains. They are completely different from the Sierra -- makes a great contrast. There is a great lookout across to the Sierra. The Bristlecone Pine trees are the oldest living trees in the world. Lots of slow dirt road up there, though, after it reaches 10,000 elev.

Laundromat
Alabama Cafe
Pizza Factory

at least that's all I can remember from last year

I agree with Steve and will take his recommendation a step farther. Walking one or both of the nature trails around the Bristlecone pine forest is both interesting and a chance to do some work at altitude. Also, the hike from the locked gate to the summit of White Mtn. is a good but not extreme 14 miler that takes you above 14,000 but all on jeep road.

Let me add...

The Still Life Cafe is Independence is still the best meal I've ever had in the Eastern Sierra...just bring someone else's AMEX Card.

The exploring the Alabama Hills is very worthwhile.

There is good food in Lone Pine...

Add the Bonanza Mexican Restaurant...good stick to the ribs Mexican food.

Head over toward Death Valley; have a beer and a good meal and watch the sunset from the Panamint Springs Resort. Mingle with the desert rats - characters definitly welcome.

The WHITNEY PORTAL STORE!!! Stuff yah face with a big juicy Moose burger and fries. Swish with suds.

As Moosetracks mentioned, the Eastern California Museum...the current exhibit on Norman Clyde is not to be missed!
And the Still Life Cafe is definitely worth it if you have the TIME and money...it is not called the Still Life for nothing, but the meal and experience will be unforgettable.

I will second the recommendation on Seasons. It is a fantastic restaurant. It really isn't cheap, but I, unfortunately, have often paid more for a dinner that was no where near as good.

Is the Clyde exhibit open - I heard they were running into delays having it ready for show?

The highlight of the museum is the set of dentures made from coyote teeth, IMHO.

The county animal shelter is in Big Pine, follow the sign from the highway, they let you take the dogs on walks along the creek. Fun for you and those poor doggies.

Season's is very good and The Merry-Go-Round has the best bread pudding ever.

You can take a drive to Convict Lake and hike out back of the lake to a beautiful area.

Drive to Horseshoe Meadow and take hikes in all sorts of directions.

From the Portal you can dayhike to Lone Pine Lake without a permit.

Or spend your days fishin some of californias finest trout waters.

Stop at the parking lot where 395 intersects the White Mountain road (north end of Big Pine) and take your picture by that out-of-place douglas fir tree. Its called "Teddy's Tree" because Teddy Roosevelt was supposed to be the one who planted it there when he came though the area 100 years ago.

Movie Flats in the Alabama Hills outside (west) of Lone Pine off of Whitney Portal Road. Some shops in Lone Pine used to carry maps of where different movies & commercials were made in the area, including some recognizable rock formations. Pretty cool area to explore.

Go south to Olancha and, if enough water in Owens Lake, check out the birds that are there. Eats at the steakhouse in Olancha aren't too bad, either.

Manzanar Internment Camp between Lone Pine and Independence(?). Nice museum that explains the place and its history, and the grounds have been laid out to show what was where on the site.

Up to Onion Valley (out of Independence) and take the short (acclimatization) hike south up to Robinson Lake for a picnic lunch. Maybe try to bag Independence Peak?

I just spoke to John at the museum, and yes indeed, the exhibit is up and running.

<<angels singing, water parting, etc, etc>>







Booger, we need to set a date.

-L

Tom... it's well worth the stop... the kids and I went and checked it out on our spring break trip...

Drive North about an hour to Keough's Hot Springs and splash around a bit. I love this place on a cool winter evening for sure....

Definitely the Film Museum is worth the time. You can see the original monster from the film Tremors!!

Track down Moosie, buy her a beer.