Swansea-Cerro Gordo Road

Trail Overview

Road climbs rapidly through wilderness corridor to ridge atop Inyo Mountains. Great views, wildflowers and historical mining structures including a large tramway station. Route goes past Cerro Gordo Mines and Ghost Town. This private property was once open to guided tours, but an online posting says this is no longer the case.

Photos of Swansea-Cerro Gordo Road

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Difficulty

Moderate: Steep, narrow and rocky in places. Prone to washouts and rock slides. Suitable for aggressive stock 4x4 SUVs with high clearance and skid plates. Not for novice drivers.

History

The Salt Tram was an engineering marvel when construction began in 1911. It operated until 1930 carrying salt from the floor of Saline Valley over the Inyo Mountains and back down to a processing plant just north of the town of Swansea (where the trail starts). The BLM has a project underway to stabilize the tram station. Fire is its greatest danger. Please respect the property and take only pictures. Source: Kiosk at the Tram Station.

Technical Rating