Main trail is easy with no need for 4×4 or even high clearance. Subaru perfection. High clearance 4WD useful for the side loop trails
Time
1 hour
Length
8.5 miles
Current Road Information: BLM Bishop Field Office, 785 North Main Street, Suite E Bishop, CA 93514. 760-872-4881
Directions: From US 395, 6 miles north of Lone Pine, turn southwest on Moffat Ranch Road at the sign.
Site Location and Description: This is an extremely popular and scenic off-road trail that can be traversed by passenger vehicle (Subaru perfection). Movie Flat trail runs through the Alabama Hills Recreation Area along a low range of hills on the west side of the Owens Valley. The road’s popularity stems from the rocky boulder-strewn hillsides that have served as the setting for movies, commercials and TV series. There are lots of side trails to explore which require 4WD and plenty of great primitive camp spots with dramatic views looking west into the Sierra. The main trail joins Whitney Portal Road, which is the major paved road that offers hiking access to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States (14,494 ft). Hiking permits are required for day and overnight hikes and advanced reservations are essential. Although the main Movie Flat trail does not require 4WD, the large boulders and views of the Alabama Hills makes this an extraordinarily scenic trail and perfect for a mellow vehicle supported adventure.
For the 4×4 enthusiast (trail rated 3 out of 10 for difficulty), at GPS coordinates N 36 38.94 W118 07.82, you can take a road that branches off to the right and takes you to the remains of Old Abe mine up above Owens Valley. The final section of this road is significantly off-camber, so check it out before you drive it.
History of Movie Flat Trail area: The Alabama Hills were formed roughly 100 million years ago, at the same time as the High Sierra. Summer heat and winter snow has shaped their peaks into the dramatic skyline you see today. Archeological evidence suggests that the area has been in use for over 10,000 years. It was and still is an important area for the Paiute tribe who once used the land for Native American ceremonies, hunting, interment of the deceased, traditional religious practices and plant gathering and processing. In the early 1860’s, the Paiutes were driven out of the area by settlers after many conflicts between the two groups over food and supplies. The Owen’s Valley Indian wars ended in the winter of 1862, in the Alabama Hills, when settlers destroyed the Paiute’s food reserves. In the spring of 1863, the Paiutes were relocated south to Fort Tejon in the Tehachapi Mountains.
The Alabama Hills were named after mines that were named by southern sympathizers after a Confederate battleship, the Alabama. Today, the Alabama hills are best known for their continuous use in movies, commercials and television shows. Shows like “The Lone Ranger”, and “Gunga Din” as well as many other westerns were filmed here. There is a plaque at the start of the dirt road that commemorates the films. It was dedicated by Roy Rogers, who made his first film there in 1938. In 1969 the Bureau of Land Management created the Alabama Hills Recreation Area in order to help preserve the natural and cultural significance of the hills for future generations.
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Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in the number of Mercedes Sprinter Vans in our area. Recently, we began to notice some kitted out 4WD Sprinter Vans and decided to do some research on them. We found a company based up in Troutdale OR, just outside Portland, called Outside Van. They specialize in custom Sprinter Van conversions, equipping current model Sprinters for overlanding and gear storage. So, whether you are a hiker, biker, skier, surfer, kiteboarder, or looking for a kitted out 4WD overlanding vehicle, they can custom design a van for you. Check out this article about how the business got started and what they have to offer. Even if you are not interested in getting one, we encourage you to check out the level and quality of these amazing conversions!
I spoke on the phone with Chris Schey of Outside Van about how the company got started, and this is what he had to say:
“Outside Van’s owner, Eric Eckman, started out as a sales rep about 20 years ago in the outdoor industry up in Hood River OR. He had converted an old Ford van in order to be able to safely transport his products; surfboards and kiteboards. His friends checked out his van and really liked what he did. They wanted the same storage capability. As time went on the products Eric sold, his sport preferences and gear storage needs changed, so he sold his van to one of his friends and converted a new one. This process continued for years until he morphed it into a business. Eric chose to work with Sprinters because living in the NW, these vehicles provide the ultimate protection against wet weather conditions , not to mention the fact that they are just plain solid. Today, Outside Van caters not only to outdoor sports enthusiasts, but also to campers and 4WD overlanders who are looking to find that pristine primitive campsite to escape to.”
The business, Outside Van evolved out of Eric’s desire to promote a way of life that he and his friends value; the outdoor, adventure lifestyle. He built a business that converts tough factory made, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo and Passenger Vans into anything from your ideal home away from home to the ultimate toy hauler. Eric is constantly building new conversions, road testing them for endurance and the ability to withstand whatever form of abuse may come from his adventures. From these tests have come some basic designs that make up their inventory. From the inventory, a customer can add or subtract a number of custom components based on their needs, wants, lifestyle requirements. Another option the customer has is purchasing the Sprinter Van model they desire, having the dealership freight the van to Outside Van, then meeting with the design team and choosing various components and modules; kitting out their van to fit their lifestyle perfectly!
Here are some of the choices a customer will make to customize their vehicle to suite their lifestyle:
-the type of water and power systems
-flooring
-modular additions such as stoves and refrigerators
-various arrays of gear storage racks, sleeves, compartments, overhead cabinets
-a bed system
-full interior insulation
-heating systems
-off the grid capability of solar panels
-color scheme: powder coated and anodized stainless steel
-indoor or outdoor showers
-built in compressors
The following article contains some practical words of wisdom for the novice 4×4 overlander or a brush up for the experienced 4×4 overlander.
It’s a good time for a trip to the deserts or mountains of California, so read on, then choose your trail from our CA Overland Trails or Points of Interest pages and TAP into Adventure!
POV
The driver’s point of view (what can actually be seen out of your windows)- A few items to remember about blind spots.
-The long hood means you cannot see the ground 10 feet or more in front of your vehicle. -Vision to the rear of the vehicle is even more obstructed. -You can see well enough on the driver’s side (and toward the front) by hanging your head out the window, but vision is obstructed on the passenger’s side.
With so many blind spots, a good defense is to memorize the terrain as you approach. Many novice drivers try to look over the hood and see the ground directly in front of the vehicle. The end result is that their view is restricted to a very narrow arc and they are merely reacting to changing terrain as it appears inside that narrow arc, rather than preparing well in advance.
The better approach is a scanning technique, where you observe the general terrain features as far up the trail as you can see then scan back to 20 or 30 feet ahead of the vehicle and memorize the terrain features. You then have plenty of time to react and get set up to tackle obstacles. It’s a continual scan that increases in intensity with the terrain’s difficulty or complexity.
Pick a Line
A Line is an approach and path over or through an obstacle that allows the vehicle to surmount the obstacle without damage. One hopes the line picked is the “best” line, but to paraphrase an old pilot’s adage, any line that gets you up and over without damage or injury is a good line. Picking lines comes very naturally to some people and with more difficulty to others. Rest assured, even those with the least amount of innate ability can learn to do it well enough. Watching an experienced driver is a great way to learn that art of picking lines. A well-known British off-highway driving instructor, who spent at least 40 years teaching people the fine art of four-wheeling, says, “Pick the high ground”, meaning:
-Pick a path that keeps your undercarriage clear and unobstructed. -Seek to keep your vehicle as level as possible. -Look for the spots that have maximum traction. -Remember that vehicle dynamics play a big part in choosing lines. Just because a line is good for one vehicle does not mean it will work well for another. -If you have an open diff, try to keep traction equal side to side to avoid spinning the wheel with the least traction. Try to pick the places that do not present traction obstacles at all four wheels simultaneously.
One critical element that all drivers must, and will, learn quickly is that the front and rear tires do not follow the same path. It’s easy for newbies to steer the front end clear and forget about the rear. This could put your rear tire into something you’re trying to avoid. The trick is to wait until the rear axle is nearly even with the offending item and then steer hard to pivot that tire around it. Maneuvering on the trail is often done with large amounts of steering input.
Happy Trails!
The contents of this article come from The Four -Wheeler’s Bible2nd edition by Jim Allen The Four-Wheeler’s Bible can be purchased at Amazon.com and is TAP recommended.
TAP also sends a shout out of thanks to Mr. Allen for his permission to use this material.
Jeep Wrangle Unlimited Rubicon: From old school to new school. TAP’s friend, David tells us about the evolution of his overlanding rigs and how he ended up with his 2015 JK and trailer. Read on and make your own bucket list!
“My affection for exploring the great outdoors began in college in the early 70’s, camping in the back of a Toyota Hilux pickup fitted with a small topper shell. I just put a piece of foam in the bed along with some sleeping bags and an old Coleman ice chest, a Coleman white gas lantern and a Coleman two-burner cooking stove. Using that setup my wife and I explored Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. We later bought a small LoLiner trailer and felt like we were really in tall cotton. Eventually, we sold the Toyota and trailer and bought a Dodge panel van (slant-6 engine included) and outfitted it with the paneling, shag carpet, and sleeping platform so in vogue in those days. Exploring Oregon, Washington, and northern California was a weekend passion for the next two years.
Next came a Ford Bronco II, a quite capable little off-road rig. We switched to tent camping then and travelled around Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. I loved the little Bronco, but had wanted a Jeep Wrangle since high school after seeing what a friend’s 304 cid V8 equipped CJ-5 could do. When my daughter turned 16, I took advantage of her needing transportation and gave her my Ford Taurus SHO, ordered a new 2000 Jeep Wrangler TJ, and proceeded to moderately build it up over the next 14 years with ARB air lockers, suspension and body lifts, winch, plenty of skid plates, roof rack, bolt-in cage, etc. A year later, I ordered a new Rubicon Cargo Trailer, built-in Toledo, OH of mainly Jeep CJ-7 parts that even included a drop-down tailgate. It took several months for the build and delivery, but the builder kept telling me that this would be a trailer I would own until I died, and I believe he was correct. Now I could haul lots more gear but I needed more security, so I engaged a local machine shop to build a custom aluminum diamond plate locking cover for it. Halfway through those 14 years, a new Chevy Silverado ¾ ton diesel 4×4 pickup and slide-in truck camper were added to the fold, allowing towing of the Jeep and resulting in significantly less tent camping. More adventures in Texas (Big Bend NP, Padre Island), Utah (including The Maze and Elephant Hill), New Mexico, Wyoming, and California ensued.
But eventually one’s needs change as life progresses, so a new 4-door Jeep Wrangler was recently ordered and the TJ, Chevy, and truck camper sold. Wanting the most stock capability that was available, we went with a 2015 JK Unlimited Rubicon in billet silver. Of course now was the time to freshen up the trailer with new paint, new tail lights to get rid of the cracks, and new matching wheels and tires so the same spare could be used. Also, it was time to start building up the new Jeep starting with some safety and security mods to be followed by mods designed to get its belly up a bit. Recent adventures have included trips to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Chiricahua National Monument in SE Arizona, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Yellowstone NP, and Grand Teton NP. Upcoming trips with the Jeep Wrangler will focus more on California and southern Utah.”
Design considerations for the Jeep Wrangler:
Focus on security and safety additions first, while getting to know the new Jeep’s capabilities.
Keep overall weight as low as possible, incorporating aluminum where available.
Keep low center of gravity while eventually improving break-over angle a bit.
Build for what will realistically be encountered not to conquer every possible terrain.
Spend more time using and enjoying the Jeep than building it.
Stock Components: -Automatic transmission -4.10 axle gearing -Connectivity package -Side curtain airbags -Automatic climate control -Body color hardtop and fender flares (billet silver)
Potential future upgrades: -Aluminum rear bumper (GenRight currently under consideration) -Moderate lift of 2”-3” (AEV, MetalCloak, Teraflex, etc) -All terrain tires such as new BFG KO2’s (no larger than 35×12.50×17) -Teraflex hinged spare tire carrier https://teraflex.com/shop_items/528ffa7fead962f416e72f7f -Rock Slide Engineering Step-Sliders https://www.rockslideengineering.com/product/step-slider/ -Aluminum skid plates for underbody (manufacturer TBD) -Control arm skid plates (manufacturer TBD) -Roof rack (such as from AEV or Front Runner) -LED driving lights (manufacturer TBD)
2001 Rubicon Cargo Trailer (no longer sold) As delivered: -3500 lb Torflex axle -Drop down rear Jeep tailgate -Dual jerry can holders on front -Hitch mounted tray to hold ice cooler, firewood, etc -Tonneau cover -Rhino lined -Painted Desert Sand to match my 2000 Jeep TJ -5 on 4 ½ wheel bolt pattern to match Jeep TJ -OEM TJ Sahara wheels to match Jeep TJ with 30×9.5×15 tires
Easy storage in the garage
Items installed since delivery: -Jeep TJ rear bumper -Locking aluminum diamond plate hardtop with tie-down bars -Various wheels and tires have been fitted over the years to match the tow Jeep -Malone SeaWing kayak carriers https://www.maloneautoracks.com -Rugged Ridge axle adapters to change from 5 on 4 1/2 to 5 on 5 spacing for Jeep JK https://www.ruggedridge.com/wheel-adapters-5-x-5-inch-to-5-x-4-5-inch-bolt-pattern-15201-15.html -OEM JK Rubicon 17” wheels/BFG Mud-terrain tires to match 2015 Jeep JKUR -Repainted Billet Silver to match 2015 Jeep JKUR
So there you have it. Check out the resources listed above and TAP into Adventure! TAP sends a shout out of thanks to David G. for his write-up and photos.
Author: David G. Editor: Lori Palmer
For more overland and off-road capable Rigs, CHECK HERE
Planning a trip to the Eastern Sierra? Check out this write up on the difficult Wheeler Ridge Trail then TAP into Adventure!
GPS
N 37 29.255 W118 42.577
Elevation gain
9,802 to 10,934
Season
Late July-Sept. check for snow
Terrain
Steep rock sections, ledge road significantly off-camber and very narrow
Difficulty
Difficult
Required Vehicle
4×4 with high clearance.
Time
3 hours round trip
Length
6.3 miles one way
Current Road conditions: Inyo N.F., White Mountain R.D. 760-873-2500
Directions: This off-road trail is signposted as Wheeler Ridge Mine Trail off of Sandstone trail. Getting to Sandstone Trail: From Highway 395, between Mammoth Lakes and Bishop, take Lower Rock Creek Road south 4.3 miles or Gorge Road/Old Sherwin Grade Road north 6.8 miles to Swall Meadow Road. Head west on Swall Meadow Road .7 miles and turn right on Sky Meadows Road. Follow Sky Meadows Road northwest .5 miles to one-lane dirt road on the right soon after the pavement ends at GPS coordinates: N 37 30.891 W118 38.295.
Site Location and Description: The Wheeler Ridge Trail follows an old mining road across a jagged ridge near 11,000 feet. It is located in the John Muir wilderness in the Inyo National Forest. Take notice of the trail description sign (most difficult) as front and rear lockers were required and the 4.5 lift and 35 inch tires were needed. The trail is composed of several wilderness corridors as it is located in the John Muir Wilderness reserve, straying off the road is illegal and you could end up with a $5,000 fine or a 6 month jail sentence. According to Tread Lightly principles we suggest that you don’t stray off any trail, anywhere. The Wheeler Ridge trail takes you up a rocky climb to a steep downhill section over to a lake bed which was dry when we travelled but would be beautiful after a snow melt. Go past the lake bed and bear left to a primitive campsite with a beautiful overlook into Round Valley and Bishop. A perfect overland campsite.
Just past the camp area is a shelf road. This is potentially very dangerous as it is very narrow (just wide enough for our Rubi), off camber sloping toward a dangerous drop and is topped by soft, crumbly sand. Once you are on it, there is no room to turn around and go back. You are committed. We don’t recommended driving this portion of the trail if you are venturing out with one rig or have a fear of close, exposed drops. Walk ahead and scope it out for oncoming vehicles. If a vehicle is coming in the other direction, there is NO ROOM for passing, which could make this treacherous ledge road even more dangerous. Do not attempt this part of the trail if there is snow. After the shelf road, you pass through a little valley then climb a steep, sandy, rocky incline to an area that has great views and primitive camping.
Approaching the lake bed
Click here for more CA off-road, Overlanding trails…..and TAP into Adventure!
Overlanding Dreamscapes: Johnny Beach is a man of many talents: photographer, adventurer, pilot and parent. His film shows Canadian overlanding adventures in British Columbia, exploring remote backroads destinations with his family on board.
