The "Salt Tramway" and Cerro Gordo Ghost Town via the Swansea Grade

We are planning a camp-n-ride in Lone Pine in early May. Hoping the snow will be passable on the Swansea trail.

We will be camping at Diaz Lake. After a little bit of research, it looks like the group sites are for tents only. If you will be camping there, you will need to book your own reservation.

You can book your site via Reserve America.

These are dry camping sites (water may be available). Many of their sites are in the trees, and some are lake front (check Google Earth or Google Maps Sat View). If you want full hookup's, you can book a site at Boulder Creek RV Resort or stay in a motel in town. Boulder Creek also has cabins, and we will be starting our rides on the dirt road next to the resort. It is about a 10-minute ride from Diaz Lake.

Cerro Gordo Ride - Friday
This is an historical 4x4 trail to Saline-Owens-Valley Tram and Cerro Gordo Ghost Town via the Swansea Grade. It starts at 3500 feet and climbs up into the Inyo mountains to over 9000 feet.

The Saline Valley cable tramway was constructed between 1910 and 1913 by the Saline Valley Salt Works to transport salt deposits from the Salt Lake in Saline Valley over the Inyo Mountains to Owens Valley. Gondola cars carrying 800 pounds of salt, traversed the tramway at a rate of 20 tons per hour. A total of 30,000 tons of high-grade salt was carried over the tramway on and off through the early 1930’s.

Cerro Gordo was the first major silver strike in Owens Valley. By 1869, the mine was the largest producer of silver and lead in California, yielding ores that assayed at least as high as $300 per ton. Gross production of the Cerro Gordo mine from its early profitable years up until 1938 was about $17 million. About 63 miles round-trip

Reward Mine Ride - Saturday
We will hit the Reward Mine (which you can drive into). Then we will climb into the mountains and stop for lunch at Mazouka Peak (elevation 9410 ft.). Next will make a stop at the Manzanar National Historic Site then on to the Alabama Hills. About 93 miles round-trip.

Alabama Hills Ride - Sunday
On Sunday we will explore the Alabama Hills. We will navigate through the rocks and view some of the many sites. About 35 miles round-trip.

Download the May 2026 Lone Pine GPX File

RIDE OPEN TO
Side by Sides

MINIMUM SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate

WHERE
The staging area for this ride is next to Boulder Creek, but you can get to the staging area from Lake Diaz on a dirt trail; distance is about 2 miles.

Cerro Gordo & Reward Mine staging area coordinates (next to Boulder Creek RV Park):

• Latitude: 36°32'34.14"N
• Longitude: 118° 2'38.31"W

PREREQUISITES:
Bring extra fuel if you even think you might need it. A VHF radio tuned to frequency 151.6250 (Channel 1 on most Rugged Radios). I can loan you a portable VHF radio if you don't have one. Every vehicle should have a radio just in case you make a wrong turn and leave the group.

All participants should:

• Have experience doing long trail rides
• Be comfortable on rocky, sandy, off camber trails
• Be comfortable climbing and descending loose rocky trails
• Bring food, water and a coat (temp drops as we climb)

These organizers are not professional guides or trained leaders and are not medically trained to handle emergencies. Please carry a personal medical emergency kit and any medications you need.

Motorized off-road driving/riding is an inherently dangerous activity that can lead to serious injuries including but not limited to slip and fall injuries, fractures, rattlesnake bites, heat exhaustion, poison oak, ticks and frostbite.

By participating in this event/ride, you agree to not hold these organizers liable for any harm that may come to you, your guests, or your property. Always remember to let the event organizer know if you are leaving the group. Stay on the trail, never drive/ride alone and use your own common sense.