Alabama Hills

These hills, a low range forming a scenic foreground to the Sierran peaks, have a topographic affinity to the uplands in the Mount Whitney region. They are composed of Triassic or Jurassic volcanics intruded by granitoid rock of the same age as the batholithic complex of the Sierra Nevada, late Jurassic or early Cretaceous. The oldest rocks are thus less than 200,000,000 years old.

Here the topography contrasts strongly with the near mountain range fronts but is very similar to the Mount Whitney uplands where well-preserved remnants of the ancient landscape are found. This landscape is far older than the scarps marking the range boundaries.

The hills are probably a remnant of the ancient landscape separated from the Sierran upland and the Owens Valley bedrock by the dislocations which have occurred. The eastern edge of the hills is relatively straight, the result of movement along the north-trending faults in the area.

Integrity: Several roads traverse portions of the area and there are a few buildings.

Use: Educational, research, recreational, present.

Ref: Hinds, N.E.A., 1952. Evolution of the California Landscape. Division of Mines Bulletin 158, p. 64 ff.

March 1975