Cerro Gordo Ghost Town.
The mines above Lone Pine.
A recovery-prepared offroad guide to the Cerro Gordo ghost town and Cerro Gordo mines — one of the best-preserved mining districts in the West, sitting at 8,400 feet in the Inyo Mountains.
A silver camp frozen in time.
Cerro Gordo — "Fat Hill" — was the first major silver strike in the Owens Valley. From the 1860s through the 1950s the town produced millions in silver, lead, and zinc. Today it is one of the most intact ghost towns in California: original buildings, mine tunnels, tramway towers, and a small museum that tells the story of the men who worked the ridge.
For offroaders, the real draw is the drive itself. The climb out of Lone Pine starts in high desert scrub and ends in pinyon-juniper forest with views across the Owens Valley to the Eastern Sierra. It is a proper mountain road, not a casual dirt cruise.
If you are searching for the Cerro Gordo ghost town by four-wheel drive, this guide covers the route, the rig prep, and what to do once you roll into camp.
Bring a group, bring radios, and never run a mountain road alone.
The road in.
The route
The main road to the Cerro Gordo mines leaves from the outskirts of Lone Pine and climbs roughly 7 miles to the townsite. It is a single-lane, unmaintained county road with tight switchbacks, exposed shelf sections, and loose shale. High clearance is a must; 4WD low range is strongly recommended, especially if you meet another vehicle on a blind corner.
Conditions
The road is usually passable spring through fall. Winter can bring snow and ice above 7,000 feet. After storms, the surface can be washed out and rocks can shift. Check with the town's caretakers or the Lone Pine visitor center for current conditions before you go.
At the top
The Cerro Gordo ghost town sits on private property with limited public access. Most visitors arrive during scheduled tours or by prior arrangement. There is a small museum, restored buildings, and the original tramway that carried ore down to the valley. Stay on marked routes and respect any closed areas.
Nearby
Combine the run with Alabama Hills, Movie Flat, or the trails around Lone Pine. If you want to make it an overnight, camp in the Alabama Hills Recreation Area or book a room in Lone Pine. There is no camping at the Cerro Gordo townsite.
Run it like you mean it.
Cerro Gordo is not a beginner trail. The climb is steep, the edges are real, and there is no quick rescue if something goes sideways. Pack for self-recovery and self-rescue.
High, steep, loose
The Cerro Gordo road climbs roughly 7 miles from the desert floor to 8,400 feet. Expect narrow shelf sections, tight switchbacks, and loose rock that gets worse after rain or snowmelt.
Recovery-ready
At minimum: a real spare, recovery points front and rear, a strap or rope rated for your rig's weight, traction boards, and a jack that works on uneven ground. Lockers help; 4Low is mandatory.
Self-sufficient rigs
There is no cell service and no tow truck at the top. Carry water, food, warm layers, a first aid kit, basic tools, and enough fuel for the climb plus the run back to Lone Pine.
Comms and courtesy
A CB or GMRS radio keeps the group together on blind switchbacks. Yield to uphill traffic, give dust a chance to settle, and remember the town is private property — stay on the road and in public areas.
More routes worth the drive.
Once you're in the Inyo Mountains, the Cerro Gordo road is the headliner — but there are other routes nearby that are worth building a trip around. Plan extra days, extra fuel, and run them with a buddy rig.
Swansea – Salt Tram
The historic Saline Valley salt tramway climb out of Swansea. Steep, loose, and exposed with massive views across Owens Lake. Lockers, low gearing, and a spotter help on the tighter ledges. Plan a full day and don't try it solo.
Saline Valley
A remote, multi-day route through one of the loneliest valleys in the lower 48. Hot springs, sand washes, and serious distance from help. Bring extra fuel, water, comms, and recovery — there is no quick way out if something breaks.
Cerro Gordo Backdoor
The technical approach to Cerro Gordo from the Saline side. Tight switchbacks, shelf road, and surface conditions that change with every storm. Best as a one-way descent after running the main road up — and only with a capable rig and a second vehicle.
Run it with people who know the trail.
We run Central Coast and Eastern Sierra routes year-round. Get on the Adventure Squad list to hear when a Cerro Gordo run is on the calendar.
Before you head up
- •Confirm road conditions and town access in advance.
- •Tell someone your route and expected return time.
- •Carry extra water, fuel, and warm layers — temperatures swing hard at 8,400 feet.
- •Travel with at least one other rig and a recovery kit.
- •Pack out everything you pack in. Leave the mines as you found them.
Request recovery or backup.
Stuck, broken, or just need a second rig on a tough section in the Eastern Sierra or Central Coast? A phone call is the fastest, most reliable way to reach help in the field.
If it's an emergency
Call 911 first. The form below is for non-life-threatening recovery support — winch outs, parts runs, route advice, or coordinating a second rig.
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