Perched on a windswept ridge in the Inyo Mountains, Cerro Gordo is a rough‑and‑tumble relic of California’s mining era and one of the Eastern Sierra’s highest ADV destinations. Sitting around 8,500 feet, the ghost town pairs steep mining roads and sweeping desert panoramas with 150 years of history. The route feels remote but reachable on adventure bikes for riders who come prepared with off-road experience, conservative decision making, and a healthy respect for the challenging terrain.

Cerro Gordo’s story is as colorful as the landscape that surrounds it. Silver discoveries by Mexican miners in the 1860s set the town in motion, and within a few years Mortimer Belshaw and the Union Mining Company turned the site into a boom town. The American Hotel and other structures stood as symbols of that era; the town later faded into near abandonment after mining ceased in the 1930s and remained largely quiet until a private purchase and restoration effort began in 2018. The site now hosts a small museum of relics, the Assayer’s Office, head frames, and tramway remnants. Visitors are welcome to pass through and caretakers often give tours, but remember you are walking through a private property and a fragile piece of history, as well as someone’s residence.

Most riders approach Cerro Gordo from the Owens Lake side near Keeler. From the first mile the road begins to climb, carving a series of switchbacks into the mountainside. The surface is mostly hard‑packed dirt with loose rock on the steeper pitches, and as you gain elevation the views open dramatically: Owens Lake spreads below, the Sierra Nevada rises across the valley, and the road threads toward the old mining district along a series of neverending switchbacks. The ascent is sustained and technical in places, so steady throttle control and careful line choice pay off, especially on heavier machines.

About halfway up the grade the surface tightens and gets rockier. Embedded stones, shallow ledges, and occasional winter washouts make this a technical stretch; it’s manageable but demands attention. The final approach eases as the road reaches the ridge and the scattered remains of Cerro Gordo’s silver and lead operations come into view. Arriving at the town feels like stepping into another era with its weathered wooden buildings, rusted mining gear lining the main avenue.

The Southern California Backcountry Discovery Route South also passes through Cerro Gordo. When traveling in a northern direction it comes up the mountain on the opposite side from Death Valley and then drops back down the ridge into Keeler. This alternate “hard” route is widely regarded as one of the toughest sections on the southern CABDR, not only because of the challenging climb up to Cerro Gordo but also the descent down to Keeler, which has long, continuous, heavy braking on steep switchbacks, risking brake fade on cliff‑side stretches. Use low gears and engine braking as much as possible, and take short stops to check out the views while you let your brakes cool. 

For riders seeking an extra challenge, the Salt Tram approach to Cerro Gordo from Swansea is an even more technical alternate route. The route traverses tramway ruins, narrow shelf roads, steep sandy pitches, and jagged rock shelves, punishing clutches and skid plates alike. On one trip our group fried a clutch trying to muscle a loaded bike up a loose hill, a reminder that being prepared for the worst case scenario is important in this area. 

For an even greater challenge, heading west out of town there is also a rarely used trail that heads up toward the top of Cerro Gordo Peak, then past Belmont Mine, before dropping down steeply in elevation. This goat trail is extremely technical, with tight switchbacks and exposed ledges; it is not big‑bike friendly and is best left to experienced riders on lightweight dual sports. But if you’re up for the challenge, it doesn’t disappoint.

For those exploring the Eastern Sierra, Cerro Gordo is a rare combination of history, altitude, and adventure. The ride offers a rewarding challenge, the views are unforgettable, and the ghost town itself remains one of California’s most intriguing remnants of the mining era. If you’ve never been there, it’s an ADV destination that’s well worth adding to your list.

Getting There and GPS tracks

For riders who want a ready route, we published a full Eastern Sierra ride guide that includes free GPS tracks that take you to Cerro Gordo coming from Keeler or the backside coming from Saline Valley Road. The guide covers 10 unforgettable spots to visit in the park and offers everything you need to plan a 6-day adventure ride through the Eastern Sierra — including points of interest and essential tips for navigating the area. You can also download free GPS tracks of the CABDR South from the Backcountry Discovery Routes website. And always keep in mind, there is no fuel at the ghost town and cell coverage becomes unreliable once you leave the highway. Mechanical preparedness matters here, so plan accordingly. 

Photos by Ely Woody and Stephen Gregory