"Independence, doorway to Onion Pass " a Independence Travel Page by mtncorg

Inyo County's seat, Independence is not the largest town in the Owens Valley. Many people flow on through on US 395 without giving it a second thought. It is a quiet little town with a historical old hotel that now serves as a bed/breakfast with reasonable cost. There are gas stations and places to eat. There is even an interesting museum that will give you a glimpse into pioneering life in this area. Just outside of town, you can visit the Whitney Fish Hatchery, but the best reason for the tourist to go to Independence is to drive the 10 or so miles up to Onion Valley. From here, in only five miles of not too difficult hiking, you can reach Kearsarge Pass at the head of part of Kings Canyon.

For other adventures - more strenuous and demanding backpacking, you can venture, under the shadow of Mt Williamson (California's second highest mountain at 14375 feet), up from the Symmes Creek trailhead. Onion Valley, at over 9000 feet, allows you to obtain the high country quickly. The high country is a much tougher objective with the trail starting at just over 5600 feet, low in the desert, and climbing to over 12000 feet in slightly over 9 miles.