This is an incredibly beautiful video with music to match. I spent my youth in this area, hiking, climbing, and camping. I am older now and separated from dear friends and family with whom I traveled. I should not be sad that life passes by too quickly; rather, I should be glad that I can make room as I retire for others to be blessed in sharing these natural wonders... Blessings to all who seek joy and solace near peaks and pines. Extend further any joy found in your life now to another generation on this Earth. Be with those you love and share your evenings together. Thank you so very very much for pulling my heart and mind forward today with these beautiful pictures and pieces of music. Peace to all.
Thanks for commenting! Glad you enjoyed the trip down memory lane. Taking people on tours virtually is part of the inspiration for creating these videos: giving that someone the ability to see something when they're not able to.
This was for me a walk or rather a hike down memory lane. I used to go hiking all over those mountains. Even took my grandmother to the top of My Whitney. She was 76. I now live in the foothills of the Smokeys in semi-retirement. Thank you.
This is exactly the kind of video that brings tourism to otherwise passed over areas. Communities should hire you! I will spend much more time around Lone Pine because of this video.
We "discovered" Lone Pine as it looked like a good place to stop before heading east though Death Valley the next day. We took a quick look at the Alabama Hills and knew we had to return. Went back the next year in the fall of 2019 and spent 2 weeks exploring the area between Lone Pine and Lee Vining, with a quick trip into Yosemite. One of our best trips ever. Fall colour was beyond belief. Can't wait to return. We fly to Vegas from Toronto and go from there.
As if I needed another reason to relocate to a place I visited and cherished as a child, this video comes along to reaffirm my destiny. Thank you Back Roads West 1.
I visited Lone Pine CA 50 years ago on a trip out west. This was our favorite city because of a fun and wacky Museum and Mini Golf. Does anyone remember it?
my brother and I discovered this area in the late seventies. We were just out of high school and drove up 395 to see our stepfather who was working on 395 just above Tom's Place. Yes Lone Pine is real nice, but I have always enjoyed Bishop more. Yet then again there is so many great places to see a long 395 from Lone Pine all the way up to Lake Tahoe. can't see them all in a day. Well you can but why should you.
You’re so right, my dad first visited the area for a fishing trip while in college, 1932! We fished and camped that entire strip of 395 for decades. You can almost forget it’s in California when you’re in that area.
Thanks. Over the years I spent quite a bit of time East of Independence. Next time I'm down that way I'll wander down to Lone Pine and stay a while and do some exploring. This part of California has far more interest for me than the well known locations such as Tahoe.
As a truck driver in 04/05 I used to meet up with our driver out of Reno,swap trailers in independence and back to Fontana. Sometimes going to Reno. The back roads are a lot more beautiful and less crowded than interstate. I've seen all 48 and Canada too in about 20 years. Now retired on the Oregon coast. I look forward to seeing whitney again. Beutiful video you made thnk you
My family and I were able to get to the parking area on Mt. Whitney on January 1st 2018. Usually there is a lot of ice on that road and we turn around, not a good feeling looking at the drop-offs. Anyway, that waterfall there was frozen from the top all the way down, a truly amazing place. We try and get out to Lone Pine a few times a year, great town. Thanks for the video.
Thought I'd add some of my remembrances of Big Pine and Bishop. My Uncle and Aunt owned the Star Light Motel on 395 in Big Pine in the 60's. Went up there often. My grandfather, a baker by trade, also lived in BP. When he was in his 80's he got a job at Schatz Bakery making their Sheepherder Bread. He worked there until his mid 80's. I just loved going up 395 thru LP, BP and Bishop! Miss going theree.
Thanks for commenting! How funny, my father was a baker too. And, he was friends with Jan Schat, the father that started the bakery in the 1960s. I remember when I was probably 8 years old visiting his beautiful home in Bishop. I still stop in on the rare occasion of driving thru Bishop.
Fifty plus years ago my family traveled 395 frequently; I climbed Mt. Whitney with my scout troop - what a sunrise view from the summit! Always got the best sourdough bread from a bakery in Lone Pine. Love these videos!
I used to live in bishop before I joined the Marine corps which brought me to Yuma Az. Also lived in Fontana before all the houses. There were a bunch of old homesteads there that were torn down.
I was sent to work there coming from Banning, CA, fell in love with the town and area. I visited it many times after that and even did a motorcycle trip as well. Great video..do yourself a favor and add Lone Pine to your bucket list.
My parents started taking us to Devils Post Pile and Reds Meadow camp grounds in 1959. We went there for several years. For those who have not been there, they are located just west of Mammoth. My dad would always stop in Bishop to get Sheep Herders bread in. We also went to Lake Crawley every year for opening day Trout fishing. My wife and I go to June Lake with the motorhome. From what I remember, Lone Pine has not changed a bit. There is a real nice camp ground (Boulder Creek) at the south end of town.
Been to Lone Pine many times over the years. Great small town. I'm a huge railroad history fan and it blows my mind to know that all the way up until 1960 you could buy a passenger train ticket on the Southern Pacific and ride from Los Angeles Union Station up to Lone Pine on Southern Pacific's Jawbone Branch out of Mojave. I love the Spencer Tracy Movie 1953 Bad Day at Black Rock which was filmed just north of Lone Pine on that old now long gone SP rail line up there. That whole area just screams movie history. Very hot summers but who cares, still loads of fun.
The opening sequence of Bad Day at Black Rock is one of my favorites. You know, the SP that owned the line and operated the train, had to measure the weight of that train to make sure all the bridges along the way to Lone Pine were going to not collapse due to being overweight . Interesting story on how MGM set that whole thing up with SP. There's a good article about it on Wikipedia.
congrats you have made me cry out of happiness remembering the little quality inn that we stayed in and looking out the window and seeing the mountains
Wow - you really showed some incredible things to see around Lone Pine! Beautiful photography! We camped at The Alabama Hills, Tinnemaha Creek, Taboose Creek, Tuttle Creek and a few more in this area and have enjoyed exploring many of the places you showed. We liked the Visitor Center too. This makes me want to get on The 395!!! 👍
Thank you! Well, I just had my fix as I drove through that area last weekend on my way home to Southern Utah! But we must go back and stay a few more days sometime soon...
You make the point early that so many people just drive through Lone Pine ... that’s me ... On many of my road trips out of Ottawa CAN I often visit Death Valley and sometimes will drive around the south end of the Sierra Nevadas but more often head north through Lone Pine on way to either Yosemite or Lake Tahoe. If only I lived in the Southwest US ...I love the 4 deserts ... the view coming out of Death Valley heading west and the north on 395 is amazing. The contrast between the eastern side and western side of the Sierra range is amazing. Sure hope the border opens this summer so I can head southwest again.
That was beautiful. I was through there once. We went backpacking out of Red's Meadows, to Thousand Islands Lake, the headwaters of the San Joaquin River. Of course, I was young and energetic then. Thank you.
Agreed. And the best part is the opening sequence in the movie with the SP Daylight train rolling along the Sierras. I'd love to make a video tour of just the place where the small townsite was filmed.
Iam a journeymen Sheetmetal worker from simi valley ca . I lived there for 3 months doing a construction job for DWP. One the hardest things I had to do leave my wife 4 kids one a newborn. For the week. Turned out to be a great experience. Beautiful country up there. We went to the Mt Whitney portal. 3 years later iam heavy into fitness. Wish I was then. Lots of awsome trails and open space for jogging. Didn't see a gym but iam sure I woukd of spent my time after work there. My habits have completely changed. Hope everyone enjoying life and smashing their goals.
I just got back from LP I'd love to go back. I took my quad up Whitney Portal had breakfast with the fam and friends, and last year in April I took my quad up to Cerro Gordo road and to Manzanar then to Indipendince but I didn't quite make it to the fish hatchery because its pretty far from Boulder Creek Campground. The campground was awesome they had coffee and muffins in the morning from 7:00 am to 9:00 am for FREE!! And the best part yet is that they have a pool ( only for people camping) and they have a hot tub!! It closes at 10:00 pm and do same video but about mammoth please!
Another great place is the Reward Mine straight across 395 from Manzanar. The mine was in operation until at least the 1950’s. You can drive into the for well over a half mile.
Yup. Someday hopefully we'll create a video tour of the east side of Owens Valley. We went on a geology tour once that was lead by a guy that was born in Reward in the 1920s.
@@BackRoadsWest1 I stuck to myself for the most part, but the people at my hotel were very nice. I will be heading back this weekend and spending a few days this time. I'll report back.
A friend and I spent 2 days there back in 2005, on our way to see the "superbloom" at Death Valley. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I want to go back!
I toured that area most of my childhood thanks to my Dad's love for that area and the High Sierra's as a whole. Remember the skies being so clear and blue, as your still shots have shown . The few times l have been there in the last 10 years, they are certainly are not that way anymore. Jet trails spraying the whole sky up into a milky mess. It is sad.
Good job, by the way on the choice of music and the choice of scenery to display.... Yes SLOW DOWN and enjoy the scenery. I remember when there wasn't a stop light in town and on the weekends it was hell crossing from east to west because of the traffic mainly heading to Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort or opening day of fishing or hunting..The east side of the Sierra's are a slower pace of life, especially compared to the west side..
And you can drive up the road 7000+ feet on 395. Beat the heat at Mammoth/postpile/rainbow falls. And drive to 12800 feet up at Bristlecone/White Mountain. Krarsarge puts a beat down on Portal. Parking lot 9200 feet. Same with Cottonwood. The easiest pass tromp is Mono behind Tom's. 3-4 miles one way, I did it on crutches after knee surgery. Big Pine has the H2O. Taboose is 9 miles but actually pretty cool. Big pine is king though. Rough, glaciers, high, beautiful.
Yup, thru Lee Flat. I'm sure Brent and his buddies will have the road open soon, plus I'm sure he'll publish a video on it. Too funny, as I just drove this road to get home a week before the flooding occurred.
Whow, that’s nature. I hope the f... Corvid Pandemie is over soon. It was in my mind to hire a Camper for a long trip across USA. Ecactly for those views. Living close to the Bavarian Alps, but your area is much better. Thanks for that info.
If you visit Owens Valley (Lone Pine is at its southern end) today, I think you'll find social distancing is not a problem and COVID is somewhat a thing of the past. Thanks for commenting.
@@thefireduppatriot5288 nice thought but immigration, courtesy the Hart Celler Act, has changed demographics to the extent to make that a near impossibility
Don't know what you are talking about, I've lived in most parts of the state for close to five decades and I wouldn't live anywhere else, with the possible exception of the Pacific Northwest. My only complaint is the ridiculous cost of housing. But housing is only expensive because so many want to live here. There is a reason that real estate is cheap in Kansas and expensive in California.
Back in the sixties my parents would take us on vacation to Idaho. We would blow past Lone Pine as well as many other places that looked so interesting but never stopped at any of them. I would look out the window of the car and thought, WHY DON'T WE STOP HERE? WE NEVER DID.
Too bad. You don't have to drive all the way to Idaho to enjoy great mountain scenery. Providing you live in So Cal, this place isn't too far of a drive.
My family took a West vacation 50 years ago. Our favorite stop was Lone Pine CA because of a weird/wacky Museum an Mini Golf there. Does anyone remember it?
Yes, I'm another one of those who have driven through Lone Pine on the way to Reno without stopping. I'm planning a motorhome trip out to Death Valley, hopefully this spring. Is there an 'easy' route for me to take from Death Valley to Lone Pine in our 45' coach?
Another movie filmed out there is 'Bad Day at Black Rock', which was filmed on the old SP tracks northwest of town. The film set is long gone, but you can drive out Narrow Gauge Road to see the old railbed.
Thanks for the comment! One of our favorite movies indeed both with Spencer and Ernie best parts. We know where this place is and it would be great just to do a video tour regarding the tour - both town site along the SP tracks and the Alabama Hills.
If you go back that way again, Cerro Gordo was purchased by a guy named Brent Underwood and is being refurbished. Check out his RU-vid channel, “Ghost Town Living”
I agree that it's amazing that it remains a "quaint little town." Well, I hope it stays a "quaint little town." I hate urban sprawl with a deep purple passion. Hordes of riff-raff and the crime, traffic, and chaos that human flotsam brings with them are the last damned thing Lone Pine (and countless other small towns like it) need.
I hope the town remains a part of the US-395 in order for it to be in its “status quo”. If Caltran made a new fast lane for the US-395, drivers would forget to stop by the towns. Please remember to vote out any Caltran’s plan in changes to US-395 if you want no changes. Of course, improvement is welcomed.
Anyone live in, near Lone Pine? Internet choices seem better than many areas! Is it free from the other Ca. stuff you see on TV, around LA, SF, or San Diego?
Very nice video, good information… Lose the commercials man, I don’t know how much money you’re making but it ruins it, you didn’t create it with commercial so why do I have to watch it with commercials? Lose the commercials please and thank you so very much for creating this informative video 👍😉
I'm sure you do realize that all RU-vid videos are subject to commercials being displayed. RU-vid or I don't do this for free. If you would prefer to purchase the videos with no commercials, see our website at www.backroadswest.com/brw/anza-borrego/ , scroll down and purchase the Anza-Borrego videos on USB drive and I'll make sure all the other videos, such as Lone Pine, are included.
Do you realize that millions of years ago Owens valley was a super volcano that blew millions of tons of dirt in the air, some pieces landing in the Pacific Ocean east of Huawei, it blackened the world for years.
You are referring to Long Valley Caldera. It erupted about 700,000 years ago (I think). It was actually located near Mammoth Lakes, not Owens Valley. Lake Crowley currently sits inside Long Valley.
Too bad they didn't show Kennedy Meadows 8000 foot hilltop valley. Bring your dirt bike, your fishing pole and some hiking boots. Spend a week up there no problem.
been there and through Lone Pine many many times. One thing we should remember Manzanar was a prison for Americans pure and simple, a tragic mistake. "go for broke"
Yes, I'd like to create a second video to cover more places of interest, such as Manzanar, the Inyo County Museum and Alabama Hills, which are just touched on briefly. Thanks for commenting.
It's a good road but very very steep. AWD or 2WD vehicles will certainly slip and possibly cause tire damage. Then there's the trip back down, again steep, where low 4WD is a big plus and relieves the brakes.
Please state the State in your video title. Neither did you state it in your video description. Save us all some time and provide it in the video title.
According to Wikipedia, it says White Mountain Peak is 14,252-the tallest in the White Mountain and in the Mono County. However, it is the third tallest in California. If in the USA or lower 48......
