Alabama Hills and Eastern Sierra• Inyo County, Lone Pine, CA, USA

The Alabama Hills is a golden-brown wonderland of rounded hills and twisted rock formations lying between Lone Pine and the Sierra. You are treated to a remarkable display of nature's handiwork in this area. There are incredible rock formations dotting the landscape as far as the eye can see. You can't help but be overcome by the sense of wonder and amazement at the sea of golden granite boulders rising up from the desert floor. Tucked away here and there are rock arches formed by time and the elements.

The outstanding features and environment of the Alabama Hills have attracted movie makers, commercial companies and tourists from all over the world. Since the early 1920's, movie stars such as Tom Mix, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry and the Lone Ranger, have been shooting it out with outlaws. Classics such as Gunga Din, Showdown, Springfield Rifle, and How the West was Won, were filmed at sites now known as "Movie Flats" and at Movie Flat Road. During 1993 portions were filmed with Mel Gibson for Maverick , released in 1994. A massive set was built in the Alabama's formations and filming continued for three weeks. Portions of scenes for the movie The Shadow were filmed during 1993, starring Alec Baldwin. Some movies filmed more recently have been GI Jane, Star Trek Generations and Disney's Dinosaur. The Alabama's serve as the backdrop to many commercial and still advertisements each year in a huge variety. Clothing ads, models, camping gear, electronics, vehicle and Federal Express ads to name a few. It was a first in 2005 to have the Alabama's used as the background for a video game.