Alabama By Morning
Alabama by morning
Alabama Hills, CA
The Alabama Hills are some of the most fascinating rock formations in the American Southwest. They are set at the base of the Eastern Sierras, with Mt. Whitney and Lone Pine Peak providing outstanding backdrops for stunning landscapes and vistas.
My friend and traveling companion, Don Metz, discovered this spot, which provides a fantastic view of the Sierra Mountains, with Lone Pine Peak as the central focus. This majestic scene is a perfect way to start your morning!
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
Trail Difficulty - EASY
I would rate the difficulty of this trail as a 1 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). The hike to this location is a fairly easy 60 yards from the parking area.
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
4,582 Ft. Elevation
Photography Tips
Try to position yourself on a rock just north of the dirt road by the location. The rock is about 3 feet tall and may take some shambling. Once on the rock find your composition and wait for the best light.
You can either shoot during the blue hour (with flat light) or wait until the sun starts to crest the horizon and begins to illuminate the Lone Pine Peak in the distance.
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions to Alabama By Morning
From Lone Pine - take Whitney Portal Rd out of Lone Pine for 2.7 miles and turn right on Movie Flat Rd. Turn right onto Movie Flat Rd and drive 0.8 miles and you will see a dirt road to the right. Once you turn on the dirt road, you will see a fork in the road. Take the right fork and then a quick left. You will see a few parking area just past the middle fork. PARK HERE.
The location of the shot is an easy 60 yards east just off of the right fork. You will need to scramble up a easy 3 foot rock to set your tripod.
View In Google earth
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 50 mm
Exposure – 1 sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 100 ISO
Date – Jan 23rd
Time – 6:25 am (on day where the sunrise was 7:00 am)
Best Time of Day to Shoot
This is pre-sunrise to sunrise shot. I arrived about 45 minutes before sunrise to photography during the blue hour.
Best Time of Year
This location can be photographed anytime of year. However, it is best with snow on the Sierra mountains which usually accures in late Fall, Winter or early Spring.
The image above was taken on January 23rd
Lens(es) Needed
Depending on your composition, you can shoot with lenes ranging from 35 mm - 70 mm.
The image above was taken at 50 mm.
Birds-Eye View
Permits
The Alabama Hills is located on BLM land and at this time, there are no permits required in the area.
Direction of the Shot
The shot is facing west around 250°.
Equipment Needed
You would benefit from a steady tripod and shoes/boots with good grip (to climb on the rock where the location is photograped).
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
The Alabama Hill can have a few visitors / photographers for sunrise. However, this location is not well know and you will most likely be the other person there.
Weather
The weather in Lone Pine is modest with lows in the winter reaching the low 20s.
Cell Service
I have Verizon and cell service is limited while in the Alabama Hills. The cell service is stronger in Lone Pine, CA.
Area Guides and Workshops
None