Cerro Gordo
The old mining town of Cerro Gordo looks down on the Owens Valley, from its site in the Inyo Range some 9,000 feet high. From this town, once flowed as much as $13,000,000 in silver and lead bullion. Privately owned today, it stands as the greatest silver and lead producer in California history.
The climb from Highway 136, at Keeler, to Cerro Gordo is roughly 5000 feet. The distance is 7.5 miles. The road surface is of native sand, gravel and bedrock. While the use of a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended, nearly any two-wheel-drive car or truck with moderately adequate ground clearance, good brakes and a sound drive train, should suffice.
