Inyo Mountains Road

This brutal climb starts near the Saline Valley salt trams and ascends the spine of the Inyo Mountains, passing abandoned mining camps and offering views that stretch from Death Valley to the Sierra Nevada. The road becomes increasingly technical as you climb, with steep grades, loose rock, and narrow shelf sections that demand respect. Cerro Gordo Mine sits partway up, but the real prize is reaching the high country where bristlecone pines cling to windswept ridges.

Difficult trail requiring experienced drivers and well-equipped 4WD vehicles with low range, skid plates, and recovery gear. The upper sections can be impassable in winter and dangerous in wet conditions. No services for 100+ miles, so carry extra fuel, water, food, and emergency supplies. Best attempted May through October by those comfortable with exposure and mechanical challenges. What you earn is complete solitude in one of California’s wildest corners, plus mining history that few ever see. This isn’t a casual weekend trip — it’s a serious backcountry commitment.