Alabama Hills National Scenic Area

Newsletter, September 2024

The spines of the silver cholla glow in the sunshine.
 

Field Work


  • Fire restrictions are still in effect until further notice. Campfires are only permitted within metal fire rings in established campgrounds like Tuttle Creek Campground. There are no campfires permitted in the Alabama Hills.
  • In November the BLM will start work on making the mining adits in the Chicken Ranch area safer for bats and humans by installing bat gates. There will be two days of helicopter use with no road closures at Chicken Ranch while the work is being done. Please be mindful of construction crews if recreating in the area during this time. 
  • Activity is returning to the hills, therefore staff are completing restoration and signage projects to help visitors avoid camping in day use areas or straying from trails.
  • Preparations for fall interpretive programming is underway. Keep an eye out for programming beginning in November!
  • Camping permits are now required. Permits are free and do not guarantee a campsite- all camping is first come, first serve. This is an acknowledgment that campers understand the rules and guidance for designated camping. To get a permits, please visit the webpage below, stop by the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center, or visit the camping information kiosks on Movie Road. 
  • Staff have been working hard to clean out fire rings, collect trash, monitor camping behavior, update signs, and educate visitors about the importance of Leave No Trace.
Alabama Hills Camping Permit
 

Staff rearranged the parking configuration at a popular day use spot with frequent misuse, as pictured. Changes are aimed at reducing camping in day-use areas.

Get Involved


  • Do you have wildlife or wildflower photos? Donate a digital copy to be included in our specimen binders for display at the visitor center. Must be captured in the Alabama Hills. Credit to be attributed on the page. 
  • Are you or your organization interested in volunteering in the Alabama Hills? Give back to your community while spending time outside in this National Scenic Area. Email ashley@esiaonline.org to connect with opportunities in clean-ups and interpretation. 
  • Spread the word about the Alabama Hills Newsletter! Sign up here.  
  • Share the ESIA's event calendar for up-to-date ranger programs or ESIA's social media. 


 

Rabbitbrush is beginning to bloom, saturating pockets of the Alabama Hills with an autumnal golden glow.

September Visitation

Vehicle and foot traffic was captured using an automatic, stationary sensor. Please note that some years have more complete data than others. Where there is incomplete data, the program may estimate based on past data.


  • Movie Road: 3,558
  • Kiosk at Whitney Portal Entrance Station: N/A with closures
  • North Entrance: 2,438
  • Mobius Arch Trail Foot Traffic: 1,299
  • Chicken Ranch:



This month's data was collected September 1- September 28, 2024
 

Events

Upcoming BLM/ESIA-Sponsored 

  • None in October, but interpretive programs will begin again in November!

Upcoming Special Recreation Permit

  • October 5: WWW Footrace
  • October 11-13: Lone Pine Film Festival
  • October 11-13: Fifthclass Climbing
  • October 19: John Wayne Gritt Race

Past BLM/ESIA-Sponsored 

  • None

Past Special Recreation Permit

  • September 6-7: Joshua Cripps Photography
  • September 15-16: Joshua Cripps Photography
  • September 25: Film Permit

Staffing
 
  • The BLM Recreation Department has 5 permanent and 1 seasonal recreation team member that patrol the Alabama Hills and other BLM-managed lands. 2 law enforcement officers provides patrol of the Alabama Hills and the rest of the field office. Other field office staff support as needed.  
  • ESIA has Ashley as an Interpretive Specialist working with the BLM patrolling the Alabama Hills 3-4 days per week. 
  • Death Valley is staffing the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center with two seasonal employees. One of these staff is funded by the BLM. These staff will also assist with interpretive events. 
 

Social Media
  • Follow Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA) on Instagram and our Facebook page. ESIA staff attempts to schedule an Alabama Hills related post at least once a week during the peak Hills season, but slows during the summer months. 
  • Follow the Bureau of Land Management- California Facebook page for information about California Public Lands, including the Alabama Hills! 
  • Follow the Alabama Hills Stewardship Group on Facebook and Instagram

Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association | 190 E Yaney St | Bishop, CA 93514 US

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