Alabama Hills / Reward Mine Trip

[LandOps]

ALABAMA & REWARD
If you haven't visited the Alabama Hills (located in California) you need to make a trip out this way sometime. Many movies have been filmed in this area, there's a local Movie Museum in Lone Pine. There are perfect landscapes and nice trails. It's also very close to the Reward Mine where you can drive your 4x4 truck at least .25 miles into the mountain.

We had a cold, yet great trip with a little over a dozen joining us.


The night was in the high 30's, but the air was fresh.


Sierra Nevada mountains in background (Mt Whitney)


Navigating in the Alabama Hills - Kenny


Navigating in the Alabama Hills


Chris, Greg and Tim - pre-running the course, looking from Reward Mine area across the valley west.


Camped in Alabama Hills, California


Camped in Alabama Hills, California


Getting ready for a tour of the Alabama Hills, movie making area


Night time adventure, getting ready to drive into the Reward Mine


Dash cam inside the reward mine, we took 4-5 truck in at a time.

I'll post more photos of mine with replies shortly.

 

[LandOps]

A few more pics of Reward Mine just North East of Alabama Hills




Turn around junction about .2 miles inside the mine.

 

[Big50]

Very cool. Hoping to make a trip out there this year.

 

[LandOps]

The Manzanar historical site is also close by between Lone Pine and Independence. This was one of the war relocation camps from WWII where Americans of Japanese descent were held. It's free admission.

 

[LandOps]

Mine height

We heard rumors that the low point in the mine was 6'3". That was not the case. I can fit my rig in my garage with roof rack and lights on top that's 6'8" through the door. I believe I had at least 2-3" additional clearance at the lowest point. If your rig is higher just drive around the low point or dig a small trench under to get under the low point. It's like a parking garage.

 

[userg3]

View attachment 385036
Dash cam inside the reward mine, we took 4-5 truck in at a time.

Ok, now that is cool. Adding this to my list of place to check out.

 

[bjm206]

Nice images...thanks for sharing.

 

[LandOps]

Absolutely, You're welcome. I thought this particular point of our trip was notable. It's not everyday you get to drive into a mountain for a quarter mile with enough space to turn a half dozen trucks around inside.

 

[LandOps]

It was cool. We had the cameras rolling so I'll be editing the video footage of this part of our trip and sharing it soon in a separate post.

 

[Rubicon85]

That is too cool! Thanks for sharing

 

[LandOps]

I'm editing the video now for this little night run. It should be ready in a few weeks.

 

[LandOps]

Video of this mine trip

If you're following this thread the video for this mine trip was released on a new thread.
See http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/168693-Driving-Deep-Into-A-Mine-Video-Trail-Report

 

[kc6rox]

Great pictures of good times. Thanks for posting. Post more, if available. Does mine dead end or go all the way through?

 

[LandOps]

picture of Cafe in Alabama Hills, great Eggs Benedict

Alabama Hills Cafe
Great little place to eat breakfast in Lone Pine, CA