Lone Pine - Panamint Springs Feb 14 - 17 2026

Jeff L said This trip is to explore trails, mines and ghost towns around Lone Pine and Panamint Springs.  Two days of trail runs - Feb 15 and 16.  Driving to Lone Pine on Feb 14 and home on Feb 17.  I have reserved a 3 bedroom, 2 bath VRBO in Lone Pine that I am willing to share.  Trails of interest include Saline Valley Road, Movie Road - Alabama Hills, Swansea-Cerrro Gordo Road, Cactus Flat Road, Darwin Falls Trail and Pleasant Canyon Loop Trail.  I have not been on any of these trails, but they are all rated easy to moderate.  Final trail itinerary will depend on the interest of those going.  This trip could be impacted by weather and snow levels, both getting to and back from Lone Pine via Hwy 50 and Hwy 395, although Hwy 5 through Bakersfield is a longer alternative if snow is an issue.  Some of the trails could be limited by snow at higher elevations as well.  Please post if there is interest.      

We're interested in these runs. We'll confirm when it gets a little closer & we have accommodations arranged.

Sounds like a fun run Jeff!

2/14 - 2/17 Lone Pine and Panamint Springs.

7 trail runs potentially:  Saline Valley Road - Movie Road - Alabama Hills - Swansea-Cerrro Gordo Road - Cactus Flat Road - Darwin Falls Trail - Pleasant Canyon Loop Trail

Let me do some research and get back to you.

Here are my comments based on map elevations and conditions when I went in April.

Saline Valley Road - Long with lots of washboard, will need to check snow levels and weather a couple days before you plan to run. north end out of Big Pine hits 7,200ft, South end peaks at 6,200ft. Easy to enter from the south and then do Hunter/Race Track/Lippencot and back out. Or loop up Steele Pass/Eureka Dunes/Sulfur Mine/East DV Rd/Racetrack/Lippencot/Out (option to camp at the hotsprings on lower steele pass)

Movie Road - Easy lower elevation

Alabama Hills - Easy lower elevation

Swansea-Cerrro Gordo Road - Swansea hit 9,200ft so is already snowed in until about May, Cerro Gordo is at 8,100ft but should be accessible then could go out the backside.

Cactus Flat Road - Easy open lower elevation

Darwin Falls Trail - Washed out in 2023 and still wasn't open when we went in April, website says summer 2026

Pleasant Canyon Loop Trail - Was dozered in 2024 so suggest Goler Canyon for a more fun drive. Couple of easy waterfall challenges and a mile of rock crawling begore the summit at Mengel Pass (4,300ft)

Thanks Kris!

Thanks Kris, weather and snow will definitely be considerations.

Guy and Lynda said

Jeff L said This trip is to explore trails, mines and ghost towns around Lone Pine and Panamint Springs.  Two days of trail runs - Feb 15 and 16.  Driving to Lone Pine on Feb 14 and home on Feb 17.  I have reserved a 3 bedroom, 2 bath VRBO in Lone Pine that I am willing to share.  Trails of interest include Saline Valley Road, Movie Road - Alabama Hills, Swansea-Cerrro Gordo Road, Cactus Flat Road, Darwin Falls Trail and Pleasant Canyon Loop Trail.  I have not been on any of these trails, but they are all rated easy to moderate.  Final trail itinerary will depend on the interest of those going.  This trip could be impacted by weather and snow levels, both getting to and back from Lone Pine via Hwy 50 and Hwy 395, although Hwy 5 through Bakersfield is a longer alternative if snow is an issue.  Some of the trails could be limited by snow at higher elevations as well.  Please post if there is interest.      

We're interested in these runs. We'll confirm when it gets a little closer & we have accommodations arranged.
  

Jeff, I'll take you up on the VERBO. Lynda has work events to attend to. It's important to review Death Valley NP alerts, as many roads are or may be closed for flood repairs. Darwin Fall could be one.

Sounds good Guy.  We will have to watch the weather and trail conditions as the date gets closer.

Can't make this run.

Folks now signed up for this trip.

1. Jeff L.

2. Guy