Cerro Gordo Road
Vertical ghost town adventure
Cerro Gordo Road is a white-knuckle climb that rises 5,000 vertical feet in just 8 miles, switchbacking up loose shale and granite to reach California’s best-preserved silver mining ghost town. The road clings to impossibly steep mountainsides above Owens Lake, with washouts and rockfall keeping things interesting while the Inyo Mountains unfold in your mirrors. At 8,500 feet, the intact ghost town of Cerro Gordo waits with original buildings, mining equipment, and panoramic views across Death Valley.
This is serious 4WD territory requiring lockers, low gearing, and nerves of steel — the road has claimed vehicles and lives over the years. Summer through fall offers the best conditions, though afternoon thunderstorms can turn the route deadly slick. No permits required, but the ghost town is privately owned with limited access. What you get is one of the West’s most dramatic approaches to a genuine ghost town, plus bragging rights to completing one of California’s most technical mountain roads. Not for the faint of heart or stock vehicles.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 8 mi / 12.9 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8500 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD with lockers recommended |
| Nearest town | Keeler, CA |
| Land manager | Private/BLM |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4WD handle Cerro Gordo Road or do I need lockers?
Lockers are strongly recommended for the steep, loose sections. A stock 4WD with experienced driving might make it up, but you'll be white-knuckling the whole way and risking damage.
Is Cerro Gordo Road accessible in winter?
No, the road is typically closed November through April due to snow at 8,500 feet elevation. May through October offers the best access window.
Do I need permits or pay fees to access Cerro Gordo ghost town?
The ghost town itself is privately owned with restricted access. You can drive the BLM portion of the road, but town access requires advance permission from current owners.
What's the hardest part of this trail?
The final 2 miles are brutally steep loose rock and dirt with major exposure - one mistake means a very long tumble down the mountainside.
How much fuel should I carry for Cerro Gordo Road?
The 16-mile round trip plus low-range climbing won't drain your tank, but nearest gas is 45 minutes away in Lone Pine. Fill up there as Keeler has no services.