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dirtnsmores

  • Apr 10, 2023
  • Joined Apr 7, 2023
  • In Alabama Hills Dispersed Camping at the Base of Mount Whitney

    Alabama Hills Camping Permits Updates

    I was at a bbq right before christmas with some friends and heard a rumor that Alabama Hills would be requiring Camping Permits! So I decided to look into it and saw there are changes to where you can camp as well.

    Here are the latest updates I found on the official Alabama HIlls Website:

    As of October 1, 2021, the west side of Movie Road in the Movie Flat area and any area marked with a "no camping" sign will be day use only areas (see map). Additional changes to dispersed camping will occur throughout the fall and winter. These changes will include a required free permit and further delineation of areas where camping may occur. Eventually, camping will be limited to sites identified with a campsite marker in the areas shown on this map.

    Here are pictures of the two maps they referenced in the quote above.

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    I don't see any specifics on their website at this time for permits, but it looks like be prepared to need to register for a free permit early in 2022.

    Alabama Hills Human Waste Update

    The other big update to Alabama HIlls is that there is now porta potties:

    To control human waste, six porta potties have been placed in the Alabama Hills. Please either use these restrooms or pack out your solid human waste using a portable waste system (RV toilet, wag bag, portable toilet, etc.).

  • In Discussion on Keeping Outdoor Locations Secret

    jhardy

    I had the exact same thoughts about this post having discovered this location through my own curiosity and studying satellite maps of forest service roads in big sur. I would hate for this pristine remote location to get overrun with people. I think on one hand it's good to make a post like this to try to ward people away from doing irresponsible things, but on the other hand, I think it's also likely that a (really well done) post like this will inevitably increase traffic to these areas as well. Increasing visibility online will lead to more use of the land which typically will lead to more issues in spite of your stated goals these posts may have unintended consequence.