Big Pine, Census-designated place in Inyo County, California.
Big Pine sits between the Sierra Nevada and White Mountains along U.S. Route 395 at approximately 4,000 feet elevation. The settlement spreads across a small valley floor and serves as a natural stopping point for travelers on this route.
Settlement began in 1870 with the establishment of a post office, later renamed to Bigpine and then reverted to Big Pine in 1962. These name changes reflect the shifting identity of the early settlement.
The Big Pine Band of Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Indians maintain their tribal headquarters here and shape the community through their ongoing presence. Walking through the settlement, you naturally encounter this connection to Native American heritage in daily life.
The settlement sits directly on the main highway and is easy to reach, with several trails leading into the nearby mountains. Its position makes it a practical stop for travelers moving through this region.
Nearby sits the Owens Valley Radio Observatory, conducting astronomical research with large telescopes since 1958. This scientific facility makes the area a place where advanced astronomy takes place.
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