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A fun loop with great scenery and singletrack descents. Most of the initial climb could be shuttled.


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Map Key

14.7

Miles

23.6

KM

40%

Singletrack

5,596' 1,706 m

High

3,806' 1,160 m

Low

1,906' 581 m

Up

1,912' 583 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

39%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

A loop with some fun singletrack descents through the Alabama Hills. The whole area is quite sandy, which is why the climb heads up the paved Whitney Portal Road, which you could choose to shuttle. Alternatively, people with fatbikes may enjoy climbing up off the pavement.

But the loop described should be enjoyable by all sorts of mountain bikes, with some fast, fun singletrack, cool rocks, and some exciting technical bits.

Description

Just under five miles out of Lone Pine on Whitney Portal Rd, and at 5200 feet of elevation, turn off to the right to find the Upper Alabama Hills Trail singletrack that heads up above the Alabama Hills. This climbs another 400 feet of elevation before beginning a descent into the hills.

Continue downhill as the trail turns into a 4WD road, and continue right (downhill) as two other roads join in from the left. Soon (0.3 miles) after the second of these comes in, a singletrack crosses the road. Turn right to stay on singletrack, but note that this part is fairly sandy. If you have skinny tires or hate sand, you can continue on the two track to a wide gravel road (Movie Flat Road), and turn right to bypass this singletrack.

Either way will take you out to Movie Flat Rd at the Mobius Arch Trailhead. Turn left on Movie Flat Road and ride down for about half a mile to where it turns 90° left and up a hill. Look for The Horse Trail off to the right. This will take you up and down along some fun singletrack (with a bit of pushing) before you come out onto a 4WD road at a pass. Head down the east side of this pass and ride through the gully back to Lone Pine.

Contacts

Shared By:

Rick Ianniello

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 23 votes

#1753

Overall
  3.8 from 23 votes
5 Star
22%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
26%
2 Star
9%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#203

in California

#1,753

Overall
64 Views Last Month
9,577 Since Dec 4, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
43%
24%
33%
0%

Photos

Fun ride with incredible views.
May 12, 2018 near Lone Pine, CA
Taking in the views from the Horse Trail
May 15, 2018 near Lone Pine, CA
The horse trail in the Alabama Hills
Dec 4, 2016 near Lone Pine, CA
View of Mt Whitney on bridge stream crossing.
Aug 10, 2022 near Lone Pine, CA
Riding the downhill on the Alabama Hills Trail
May 15, 2018 near Lone Pine, CA
Rambling down the sandy trail.
Aug 10, 2022 near Lone Pine, CA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 23, 2022
A V
Nov 25, 2021
zirbo
Incredibly scenic, but most of the ride is on dirt bike trails or fire roads. The only real singletrack is the top section of the horse trail
Sep 16, 2021
Darin Hornbaker
Missed the trailhead at elevation 5200 so added 1.5 extra up but totally worth it. view were epic and the trail was fun. 17.2mi — 2h 14m
Dec 31, 2020
Wayne Marci
Quite a bit of snow, awesome trail, got a bit off route at the end. We shuttled it, eliminating riding the road. 10.5mi — 1h 30m
Nov 21, 2020
Steve Lee
8mi — 1h 50m
Oct 23, 2020
Sean Hill
Oct 12, 2020
Janely Cantu
Nov 7, 2019
Trevor Kornmeyer
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