Stills from the Desert

A few dusty days in the Alabama Hills

By Steven Yan

November 3^rd, 2020

NOV 3, 2020

If you drive west from Lone Pine, California on Movie Road, you'll find the Alabama Hills, nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevadas. Over 150 movies have been filmed here, and you might recognize the landscape from such classics as The Lone Ranger, Gladiator, Ironman, or our personal favorite: Tremors.

In an unusual and crazy year, we came here to do one two things: sit still and furiously check election results.

The Alabama Hills are a popular boondocking spot any time of the year. Luckily, we spotted another rig as it was exiting this spot nestled amongst the boulders with a direct view of the mountains.

ALPENGLOW

In the morning, the Sierra Nevadas and Mount Whitney glow orange with the rising sun. We spent the morning amongst the boulders, hiking to the Insta-famous Mobius Arch.

Neska ❤️ Desert

Neska starts all of these trips just wanting to sleep inside the rig. As the days wear on, she gradually spends more of her day outside, basking in the mid-afternoon sun.

PINK HOUR

One of our favorite things about the desert is the light. At the end of these early winter days, sunsets shift to pink and purple hues at dusk. It was the last warm week in the Alabama Hills and the evening temperatures were perfect.

After the day's visitors came and went, we were left with quiet, clear, starry, moonlit nights. We surrounded the rig with rope lights to keep the mice from making a home in the rig.

BREAKFAST VIEWS

Our go-to breakfast setup. Breakfast sandwich made with Thomas' English Muffins, eggs over medium-hard, breakfast sausage, and American cheese. Looks like hell, tastes like heaven, napkin recommended.

SIERRA WAVE

A cloudy last morning gave way to the Sierra Wave. This phenomenon occurs when westerly winds are forced upward by the the Sierra Nevadas, the air cools, and lenticular clouds form to the east. They can stay still for hours, which was exactly the speed that we came for.