With warm Fall weather the Eastern Sierra Nevada turns into lush colors and crowds dissipate.  Our trip was devoid of fish, but the lakes were sparkling, the cabins rustic and the trek to Cerro Gordo exciting.

After a restful night’s rest at the famous DOW VILLA we drove from Lone Pine for a short visit to the semi-ghost town of Keeler on the shore of what was the Owen’s Lake.

The road up to the mine is an experience in itself. And Cerro Gordo (Fat Hill) has a long and colorful history.  It is located on the western slope of the Inyo Mountains.

Along the precipitous road up the mountain a cable with buckets indicates how silver was lowered down the mountain. It is said the few town residents would use them to get groceries.

In previous time the last few hundred feet would offer a view of the famous American Hotel which burned down in June 2020. A few artifacts were salvaged. The owner plans to rebuild this relic and funds are being donated. 

Here the silver was loaded onto barges and taken across what was Owens Lake.

Black and white photos by Holiday Heller

To raise money to rebuild this historical ghost town, the owner has been offering tours.