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Lone Pine parking?

Original Post
RJNakata · · SoCal · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 460

I have to "car bivy" a night in Lone Pine prior to permit pick-up.  Do you have a safe place for me park, or know of a good spot?
thank you!  PM me or something

climberkalen · · kern county, CA · Joined Jun 2016 · Points: 66

Alabama Hills just off whitney portal is cool, get some sport climbing in while you wait.

Benjamin Chapman · · Small Town, USA · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 19,577

Anywhere in Lone Pine or drive west on Whitney Portal Rd to Movie Tour Rd (right) or Horseshoe Meadows Rd (left) and pick a spot.

RJNakata · · SoCal · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 460

Thanks! would you consider those areas safe at night?  I'm traveling with my 13 year old daughter and can't take any chances on an "incident."

fossana · · leeds, ut · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 13,313

Don't bivy in town. The Alabama Hills (BLM land) would be the best in terms of being scenic, not getting hassled by cops/rangers, and still being relatively close to the ranger station. There are multiple dirt roads from which to choose so you can find a quiet spot.

Benjamin Chapman · · Small Town, USA · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 19,577

Fossana...What? No one's going to get hassled by law enforcement or rangers in Lone Pine. Save yourself some gas. Pick a back street and bivy on. Heck...you can throw your sleeping bag down on the lawn at the Ranger Station, but be aware the sprinklers come on early.

patto · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 25

Like others have said, anywhere is likely good.  It is a small friendly town.

fossana · · leeds, ut · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 13,313
Benjamin Chapman wrote: Fossana...What? No one's going to get hassled by law enforcement or rangers in Lone Pine. Save yourself some gas. Pick a back street and bivy on. Heck...you can throw your sleeping bag down on the lawn at the Ranger Station, but be aware the sprinklers come on early.

With so much legal camping on public land a few miles away why would you camp on a residential street? 1. It's kind of an asshole move and 2. All it takes is for one neighbor to call the cops.

Roots · · Wherever I am · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 20

AH is good to go but not by the Whitney Cave. I'd be a little concerned as it's away from the masses and seems to occasionally be a drunken hang out.

walmongr · · Gilbert AZ · Joined Aug 2015 · Points: 151

Any where on Whitney Portal Road. Have stayed several times along their.. The higher you go the cooler it will be at night depending on what temp you like to sleep at, the Alabama hills area will be hot!  Never been harassed...

Andrew Rice · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Jan 2016 · Points: 11

It's also only about 15 minutes into town from Whitney Portal. Where it's cool at night. And that has lots of camping.

Jon Hartmann · · Ojai, CA · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,787

Benjamins advice is horrible...like most of his posts. Go to Movie Tour Rd in Alabama Hills. Super close, super safe.
I just slept there 2 weeks ago. It was completely fine until 6:30am when the sun started to heat the car up. 

Benjamin Chapman · · Small Town, USA · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 19,577

Hey RJ,
     There's a climbing/backpacking shop in Lone Pine at the corner of 395 & Whitney Portal Rd. The shop is called Elevation. They're open REALLY late. Just pop in and ask the manager where the best place to "Car Bivy" is. The folks at Elevation are really friendly, knowledgeable, and local.

Still falling and hanging after every attempt, huh, Jon Jon?

Jon Hartmann · · Ojai, CA · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,787

I think you're talking about yourself Benji. I don't hang. It's happened a handfull of times in my life but not as many as you. Besides, your advice is awful, your telling this person to either A: Go park on a backstreet in front of someone's house or B: Go bother a store owner to ask them where to car camp, (and the store owner will say go to Movie Tour Rd.) Both of those are dumb options. Once again, there is free, LEGAL camping on Movie Tour Road. I think that's the answer that will work out. Why don't you go make more inappropriate comments about women's pictures, helmets and grammar.

Trad Princess · · Not That Into Climbing · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 1,175

This thread is great.  

Chapman is so classic, and not a good way.

Most/all of the advice in this thread is bad.  There is free camping right off the road up near Pine Creek.  That's where you want to be.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Lone+Pine,+CA/37.381352,-118.6706792/@37.0747407,-118.6441069,97467m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m8!4m7!1m5!1m1!1s0x80be2d9c13f20653:0x4f8616360028f78!2m2!1d-118.0628654!2d36.6060444!1m0

Jon Hartmann · · Ojai, CA · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,787

Right but he's trying to camp close to the permit station to pick up a permit in the morning

Jon Hartmann · · Ojai, CA · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,787

Sorry for the drama everyone, I just dont like Benjiman. My bad. Bad mood Friday over here. 

splitclimber · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 21

hey, just look at the thumbs up count and decide for yourself what to do. :)
don't go to pine creek, folks on the taco say the locals are mean.

RJNakata · · SoCal · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 460
Ocalslay Onlyyay wrote:...There is free camping right off the road up near Pine Creek.  That's where you want to be.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Lone+Pine,+CA/37.381352,-118.6706792/@37.0747407,-118.6441069,97467m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m8!4m7!1m5!1m1!1s0x80be2d9c13f20653:0x4f8616360028f78!2m2!1d-118.0628654!2d36.6060444!1m0

Ok, this is a little far from Lone Pine...but good info for another trip.

RJNakata · · SoCal · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 460

Thanks all for your input. Much appreciated.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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