White Mountain Research Station

Founded in 1940 by the Navy and operated by the University of California, the White Mountain Research Station is a high altitude and alpine research complex, composed of four separate facilities located at different elevations. The Owens Valley Laboratory is located in Bishop, the Crooked Creek Conference Center at 10,150 feet near the Patriarch Grove of Bristlecone Pines, the Barfcroft Laboratory at 12,470 feet, and the generally unmanned Summit Station, the highest high altitude lab in North America (fourth highest in the world) is on top of the 14,250 foot White Mountain Peak. Winds on the summit routinely exceed 150 miles per hour.

Even though the White Mountains are nearly as high as the Sierras, they lie deeply in their rain shadow, keeping them dry and relatively snow-free throughout the year. This lack of heavy snow makes them the only suitable place in the country for year-round high altitude study. Research is conducted in a variety. of disciplines, including archeology, physiology, biology, and aerospace.

The Mt. Barcroft laboratory also boasts the highest pool table in North America while the summit station contains the continent’s highest Internet node, allowing for real-time, remote monitoring of scientific equipment. University of California Television recently made an Emmy-award nominated documentary on the facility. It can be viewed on the Internet.