CA395N: Cactus Flats and Cerro Gordo/Swansea?

[Barclay]

I'm looking at heading up the 395 next weekend, probably camping at Alabama Hills, but interested in venturing out to the east side of the valley looping around Cactus Flats road (~25 miles?) and/or Cerro Gordo to Swansea Cerro Gordo (~25 more miles?) on the way up. I have no idea the difficulty, but it rough research seems to indicate not that bad (online seems to be C4WDA <= 6 ratings, if I can extrapolate from very brief descriptions). I'm curious about if anyone has done these during the winter, and what the travel time looks like. Normally I'm not too concerned about being surprised, but I'll likely be solo, so I'm slightly more cautious. (I know this is breaking the first rule, but if it makes any difference I do go with a PLB.) Let me know if you've done these trails, and what your travel time was!

Thanks,
-B

 

[v_man]

I have no experience with Cactus Flat Rd. but I've been up Swansea Grade to the salt tram then down to Cerro Gordo ghost town from there. Swansea Grade is moderately difficult in my opinion. I'm not sure what vehicle you're in but it it is steep, remote, and rough in places. Swansea grade goes up to 9,000 feet at the crest of the Inyos. I went up there a few Februarys back but it was a drought year, so no snow at all.

I'm not sure how the Inyo's are doing with snow this year, you could always try heading up Swansea grade and just turn around if you start hitting snow.

FWIW, Swansea to the Salt Tram to Cerro Gordo is one of my favorite trails. The views of the Sierra, and the views down into the Saline valley when your on the crest of the Inyo, plus the historical Salt tram works make it an awesome trip. Throw in the Cerro Gordo ghost town and it's even better...

 

[Barclay]

I have no experience with Cactus Flat Rd. but I've been up Swansea Grade to the salt tram then down to Cerro Gordo ghost town from there. Swansea Grade is moderately difficult in my opinion. I'm not sure what vehicle you're in but it it is steep, remote, and rough in places. Swansea grade goes up to 9,000 feet at the crest of the Inyos. I went up there a few Februarys back but it was a drought year, so no snow at all.

I'm not sure how the Inyo's are doing with snow this year, you could always try heading up Swansea grade and just turn around if you start hitting snow.

FWIW, Swansea to the Salt Tram to Cerro Gordo is one of my favorite trails. The views of the Sierra, and the views down into the Saline valley when your on the crest of the Inyo, plus the historical Salt tram works make it an awesome trip. Throw in the Cerro Gordo ghost town and it's even better...

FWIW, Jeep Rubicon jku with 4" lift, 35's aired down, and full recovery gear (which I hope not to use).

What is the time up Swansea through Cerro Gordo? Maybe I should dedicate a day to that, instead of trying to do both back to back. Sounds like a great trek.



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[v_man]

The time to get to the Salt tram? I'd say a leisurely 4 hours coming up either Swansea Grade or coming up from Cerro Gordo. It would be more challenging getting to the tram from Cerro Gordo.

The full loop , Swansea grade > Salt tram> Cerro Gordo> back to 190 would be a full day...

 

[Barclay]

The time to get to the Salt tram? I'd say a leisurely 4 hours coming up either Swansea Grade or coming up from Cerro Gordo. It would be more challenging getting to the tram from Cerro Gordo.

The full loop , Swansea grade > Salt tram> Cerro Gordo> back to 190 would be a full day...

Awesome, thanks! Will plan on a full day for that!


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