Swansea Cerro Gordo Ghost Town

Hey all,
Planning a trip to stop at destinations along the 395, (Alabama Hills, Mammoth, Bishop, etc.) with one of the destinations being the Cerro Gordo Ghost Town. I noticed that there are some dirt roads around Cerro Gordo along with the main road up to the ghost town. 4x4 is probably recommended, but can anyone tell me the latest condition of these roads? Will I be fine with RWD with good A/T tires?

Thanks in advance,
Aaron

 

The Swansea road is usually much worse than the Cerro Gotdo road. The CG road isn't difficult. If you go up to CG you might as well continue to the Saline Valley Salt Tram crossover station.

 

Just did that a couple weeks ago. Mostly a moderate/ easy trail with a couple of rough spots that could be difficult in a 2wd. Swansea is the more difficult side like ETAV8R said. I'd suggest going in at Keeler as the trail is easy to find. Drive to Keeler, which is on the west side of the highway, look for dirt road that heads east and check the street sign, it's Cerro Gordo Road. Swansea is easy to drive right by as it is just a house with a dirt road right next to it, keep an eye out or you will pass it. There is a small wood sign that says "Welcome to Swansea" but from the road it looks like it has more to with the house than a trail marker.

Beautiful views and the tram is impressive. Cerro Gordo Mine is in private hands and they give tours but you should call ahead. The property has just been sold so who knows what that means. I didn't stop.

When passing through Bishop if you have time the Laws Museum is worth a stop. It's on the outskirts of town on Hwy 6. There is the old Laws Train Stop there with some original buildings, some moved, and some built from other old buildings in the area. In addition it was used as a set for the Steve McQueen movie "Nevada Smith" and they built a few buildings now used by the Museum. Kinda impressive for the train, mining, farming equipment there. They also have quite an array of collections from the locals. Beer cans, Coke bottles, blue glass, arrowheads, dolls, printing presses, gems & rocks, whiskey decanters, some firearms. Just a bunch of stuff. We were there for 2.5 hours and easily could have spent more time. Oh yea, there is a fake entrance to a mine there. Expect something when you approach it, it can be a surprise if you don't.

 

Thanks for the great info. I was planning on taking Cerro Gordo Road via Keeler--I'll just turn around at the mine to avoid Swansea.

There are also quite a few gravel (service) roads to explore in Owens Dry Lake bed. I worked on the project a few years ago where shade structures, interpretive signage, and habitat look-out areas were implemented. I believe most of it is BLM land. Just a warning: stay on the gravel roads and off the lake bed. It is super soft and contractors have gotten full-size excavators stuck in there.

 

And don't drive on the walkways.

 

Late to this thread but what contractor did you work for? I did most of the concrete at the viewing plaza and some of the walk ways. Coolest jobsite I've ever been on.

 

I was one of the landscape designers on the job for Phase 7a. Barnard Construction was the contractor at the time. There could still be work happening out there.

 

Anyone been to Cerro Gordo recently?
Heading there next week, how's the route from Saline Valley Alternate Road.
Going to spend some time at Father Crowley Point looking for fighter jets.