I love Alabama Hills.  Almost as much as I love Joshua Tree.  And I think its fair to compare the two; the towering heaps of quartz monzonite boulders is an iconic visual associated with each of these places.  If it weren’t for Mt. Whitney and the majestic Sierra Nevada range just to the west of Alabama Hills, one could easily confuse a photograph.

Perhaps the most notable difference is in the camping availability.  Trying to secure a spot in Joshua Tree during peak season can be a pretty stressful task.  But at Alabama Hills, you can camp virtually anywhere you want.

As truly awesome as this is, I do worry about how this model is going to impact the area as Alabama Hills becomes more popular.  There are no dumpsters or restroom facilities, and the negative effects of this are already visible as you hike around.

Another notable difference for rock climbers is the sheer quantity of bolted sport routes.  Unlike Joshua Tree which favors traditional-climbing ethics, Alabama Hills is a great location for those not as skilled in the art of crack climbing, or who want to leave their trad-rack at home.

Words: K. Davis
Photos: Jonah Vongdala (IG: @fannypack)
Video: Kyle Adams & K. Davis (Vimeo: @kmichaeldavis)