Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
37.00 ft (11.28 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
0.60 mi (0.97 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Located at the base of Mount Whitney, the grand view of the Mobius Arch astride the Alabama Hills is unmatched, a location that has been used as a background for many movies. The Mobius Arch spans about 6.5 feet, and is one of the most accessible and most famous of the dozen or so natural arches around the area.

The rock formation of the Alabama Hills shares the same geological formation with the Sierra Nevada. The difference is how the rock has weathered; the rounder contours of the Alabama Hills are distinct from the jagged sharp edges of the Sierra Nevada.

Two main types of rock are found in the area: orange and weathered metamorphosed volcanic rock that is 150 to 200 million years old, and 82- to 85-million-year-old biotite monzogranite that appears in large, potato-shaped boulders, many of which stand on end due to spheroidal weathering.

The area around Mobius Arch is a multi-sport and multi-purpose area, whether you are in need of a camping spot, a thrill of climbing, or a short hike.

The trailhead can be access from Movie Road. There is a big parking lot that is hard to miss. 

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Easy access. Easy parking. Big Vistas.

Cons

Crowded on weekends. Rough road.

Trailhead Elevation

4,650.00 ft (1,417.32 m)

Features

Historically significant
Rock climbing
Big vistas

Location

Nearby Adventures

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Eastern Sierra + White Mountains Area, California
Eastern Sierra + White Mountains Area, California

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