Dramatic desert landscape in the Alabama Hills of California, USA

Of rocks and reels

Part of the same geological formation as the Sierra Nevada range, the Alabama Hills (which are actually in California) have a look all their own. Formed mainly from monzogranite just like the Sierras, their lower elevation has subjected them to distinct weathering forces, resulting in rounded forms that contrast with sharp Sierran summits. Though this scenic region is remote, its reasonable travel distance from Hollywood has made it a staple shooting site for Westerns – from classics such as ‘Bonanza’ to newer genre takes like ‘Django Unchained’.