Mt Williamson Motel and Basecamp

Wonderful motel with the nicest owners! Very clean, terrific atmosphere, breakfast was good, coffee was good. What a neat history it has going back to its pack station days. We learned so much about the area staying there! If you’re a hiker, there couldn’t be a better place to hang your hat for the night.

On my way from Reno to Palm Springs, to visit my sister in Big Bear and friends in Palm Springs, I wanted to stop in Independence instead of my normal Lone Pine overnight to stop and have dinner at the Still Life Cafe and reconnect with the owner whom I met nearly 30 years ago. I must admit the name “base camp” brought up visions of my days in youth hostels in Europe, Hey though, I’m game for just about anything! My concern was quickly alleviated as soon as I opened the cabin door! These cottages ( at least #5) are done really nicely and have everything I needed to be very comfortable and cozy! Here I thought I might have to shower in a bunkhouse!! My friends and fellow diners at the Still Life said the couple that owns this little treasure are genuinely great people and their pride in the property shows! Are parts of it a little funky? Of course but it’s a really neat experience walking out in morning or evening around the corner and their vistas of the Southern Sierra rise majestically in front of you! Stunning! I read some reviews that said the units on the highway are noisy and that’s likely true in the daytime. It’s always a good idea to bring earplugs and sleeping masks on any overnight journey anyway! I was perfectly fine where I was! The bed was very comfortable, only caveat… the footboard in my unit liked to kneecap me if I wasn’t careful!! Honestly I would leave them off as there’s not a lot of room to move around them! Windy review, sorry, but I was surprisingly impressed!! I’m heartbroken that they don’t have room for me on my return to Reno! Best of luck to the family that owns this little gem!!