You can simply drive for two hours and forty four minutes and not make a single stop or you can make five stops while traveling past Mono Lake to Death Valley.
In this post we will share with you five stops you’ll want to make.
Mono Lake South Tufa Area
One of my favorite places ever. We have been here multiple times during different seasons and this ancient saline lake always takes my breath away. It is said to be one of the oldest lakes in North America.
In the background you’ll see the white Sierra Nevada. The reflection of the tufa towers in the Mono Lake is so lovely.
We are always so surprised by how uncrowded this place is. There is a wooden trail and its only a one mile loop.
We have seen brine shrimp in the warmer months here. You can also float here. Your body won’t sink. We hope to be brave one summer day and get in with all that salt and brine shrimp.
Alabama Hills Recreation Area
Did you know that this is a hot spot for shooting movie scenes, TV episodes, and commercials?
Here you will be surrounded by different rock formations and snow covered jagged mountain peaks will standout in the background. It is a natural playground for all. We explored movie road.
This is a beloved camping area by many. Camping is free but that means there is no water, bathrooms, or trash bins available. You will have to pack your trash out. You need to get a permit if you want to enjoy a camp fire here.
Alabama Hills Recreation Area is close enough to stores, gas stations, and restaurants. It is right outside of Lone Pine.
Mazanar National Historic Site
The visitor center and the exhibitions here were all closed during Covid so we didn’t get the whole experience. However, this is a good place to show your children. It’s a hard reality that things like this have happened and so could happen again. Fear makes people do things they would never think they would do. The media thrives on hate and separation. Making one group seem like they are the bad guys. The Japanese were kept in these interment concentration camps “for their safety. ” 110,000 Japanese Americans were held here during World War II. This is one of ten camps. These poor people were stripped from their freedom, jobs, and homes. While staying in these camps they had very little privacy. I pray something like this never happens to my family.
Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery
This is no longer an active fish hatchery so if you want to see the spawning houses and the process you won’t get it here. During our travels we seek out hatcheries. In Colorado we visited the Glenwood Springs Fish Hatchery, South Dakota: D.C. Booth Historic National Hatchery, Northern California: Trinity River Hatchery (which was extremely hands on and educational) and Crystal Lake Hatchery.
In 2008 there was heavy rains which caused so much mud slides and as a result the debris killed all the rainbow trout. To the right of the 1916 gorgeous building that was built out of 3,500 tons of granite, you will find the spawning house that is closed off by a fence. You will find large golden trout and a variety of ducks in a pound in front of the building.
The mountain, scenery, and the building is worth the stop. It is absolutely stunning and peaceful here. You can’t go inside the building to learn more about the fish hatchery due to Covid-19. The restrooms are still open and you are able to use the picnic tables to enjoy a meal with a view for free.
Located at Oak Creek Rd, Independence, CA 93526.
Father Crowley Overlook
We have explored Death Valley National Park a few times but have never been to this part of the park.
Named after a catholic priest, this Vista point is a beautiful spot to see the view of Rainbow Canyon.
You could simply walk out of your car and look down at the Rainbow Canyon but we recommend that you take a stroll down a gravel road and see the view of Panamint Valley. We walked a total of 1.39 miles. Most walked down to the valley while a few cars drove down it.
There are bathrooms here as well.
If you found this post enjoyable, you might like reading about California Desert Hiking.
Thank you for reading our blog post.