Lauren Abrahams
Go. Go, go, go. I've been passing this turn-off since I was a kid on family trips to Mammoth and finally did something about it at the end of a highway 395 roadtrip this week. The first 24 miles of road off 395 up into the White Mountains is paved but steep - there's a gain of 7,000 ft in those 24 miles. So take it slow and hold your breath going around some of those bends. That will get you to the visitor center and Schulman Grove. There are three trails from the section; I was short on time so did the 1-mile Discovery trail. Blown away. A religious experience (coming from someone who doesn't subscribe to that sort of thing). I've never felt to small, so insignificant, so close to whoever is up there. Breathtaking, tear-inducing beauty and science all rolled into one. They and plaques every so often to explain what you were looking at and benches to sit and contemplate life while admiring the beauty of the eastern sierras across the way. I can't wait to go back and take the dirt road that continues further in to explore some more. Re: weather - sunny out but pretty windy in mid-October. Prepare for anything and have sunscreen with you and bring water. Especially if doing anything longer than the one-miler.
5.0
Woke up early to get there at sunrise. I was one of four people on a Thursday in mid-October. There's a nice little loop that takes you through the main area. If you take the trailhead to the right of the parking area, follow the path and go left when you get to the T. That will take you to Möbius. If you go right, it takes you out to what appears to be a camping area and more paths to explore. Before you take the path stand in the parking area and look straight out (the way your car is facing) - you'll see the heart! Definitely check the map before you go; it's not far off 395 in the middle of Lone Pine, but the roads all look the same.
4.0
Easy walk out to the falls from the parking lot that is a short hop off 395. Can poke around at your leisure but don't get too close to the edge! The rock formations are pretty impressive and it definitely makes you feel tiny. Definitely worth the stop.
4.0
Spent a few hours at the pinnacle this week. We had the place to ourselves mid-week. October seems to be a great time to visit (mid-October, in particular) as the weather was great. It really did feel like we were on another planet. Recommend an SUV or AWD vehicle-probably would have been fine in a "regular" car, but nice not to have to worry. I hear that in the beginning of the month the "Trona smell" is stronger because the factory up the road is in full swing...
5.0
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