enter as a guest, leave as family
It is our goal to make the Mt Williamson Motel and Base Camp feel like your home in the Eastern Sierra.
Your Gateway to the Eastern Sierra
The Mt Williamson Motel and Basecamp is nestled between the Sierra Nevada and Inyo Mountain ranges on the historic Highway 395. Offering guests astounding views to wind down after a day of hiking or on the road. Our backdrop, Mt Williamson is the second highest peak in California (14,389) and is home to the Williamson Bighorn Sheep herd.
The motel became an integral part of the backpacking community after being purchased by prior owner Strider in 2013. Strider recognized the need for a hiker-friendly motel and base camp strategically located near Onion Valley - an important resupply exit for PCT and JMT hikers. Her resupply services and amazing hospitality gave the Mt. Williamson the reputation of a ‘must stop spot’ for thru-hikers and loop-hikers seeking resupplies, a night’s rest in a clean air conditioned room, and a fresh hot breakfast. In Summer months the motel is now filled with (temporarily clean) hikers relaxing and swapping stories of their adventures.
over 4 decades of exploring the sierra
The motel was purchased by Doug and Lauralyn Hundley in 2019. They discovered the Mt. Williamson in 2017 while hiking the JMT with their daughter Emmaleigh. They fell in love with the motel and with the base camp concept so much that they bought it! Now they are excited to serve the hiking community with the same excellent services provided by Strider. Additionally, they plan to encourage and refresh travelers with their warm hospitality, and serve the community year round with educational, creativity and historical retreats and workshops.
The Hundleys were blessed to first hike the John Muir Trail as newlyweds in 1984. This journey into the wilderness changed their life and ignited their love for the Sierra, backpacking, and each other. Since then, they have spent most of their summer vacations hiking in the Sierra as a couple, with friends, their two kids, and solo. They have a special affinity for the John Muir Trail, and the Ansel Adams Wilderness .
This new adventure as owners and managers of the Mt. Williamson is a perfect fit for this couple who deeply understand and love the hiking community, and who now get to live in the Owens Valley with its breathtaking panoramic view of the Eastern Sierra.
We look forward to meeting you.
Douglas and Lauralyn
