MT WILLIAMSON MOTEL AND BASECAMP, Independence

Mt Williamson Motel and Base Camp provides updated accommodation with views of the Eastern Sierra. Each room has a full bathroom, free WiFi, cable TV, a microwave, a refrigerator, and an electric kettle for in-room coffee and tea. New beds and linens are included. Some rooms are dog-friendly for an extra fee of $15 per pet per night. Cabin 1 (Shepherd) and Cabin 6 (Baily's) are pet-friendly, with Cabin 6 including a fenced sitting area. Paiute Suite in the Bunkhouse features a separate living room and a fully equipped kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave.

A complimentary fresh, hot breakfast is available daily during the hiking season, from Father's Day weekend through the end of September, including vegan and gluten-free options upon request. Restaurants, a deli, a taco truck, an ice cream shop, and a French restaurant are located in Independence, with vegan and vegetarian options at the taco truck, ice cream shop, and deli. Gas stations sell beer and snacks.

Guests can enjoy hiking and cycling in and around Independence. The motel is near the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, generally open through the end of November. It is also close to the Alabama Hills, 18 miles south, with rock formations like the Mobius and Lathe arch. The Kearsarge Pass is 13 miles away, offering views of the John Muir Wilderness and the Owens Valley. Mt. Williamson, home to the Williamson Bighorn Sheep herd, provides a backdrop.

Mt Williamson Motel and Basecamp sits between the Sierra Nevada and Inyo Mountain ranges on Highway 395. It is halfway between Death Valley and Yosemite. Yosemite is just over 3 hours north during summer, while Death Valley is approximately 72.6 miles away. The Eastern California Museum is 0.5 km away, and the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery is 6 km from the property.

The motel caters to backpackers with services like a shuttle to and from the nearby Onion Valley trailhead for $45 each way (available for overnight guests). Resupply services are available, including hiker resupply packages starting at $290. Laundry is available for overnight guests for $15. Luggage storage and bear canister rentals are $5 per day. The motel offers resupply holds for non-overnight guests for $75.