This 1860s-70s silver and lead boomtown high above Owens Lake once bankrolled early Los Angeles, and its hotel, church, bunkhouses, and headframes survive at 8,000 feet. The town is privately owned — purchased in 2018 by Brent Underwood, who documents its ongoing restoration (including rebuilding the American Hotel lost to a 2020 fire) and hosts visitors by appointment, tours, and overnight stays. Do not show up unannounced: the steep, rough Yellow Grade Road wants high clearance, and the surrounding hillsides hide hundreds of unsecured mine shafts, so stay on established paths.
Vestige documents abandoned & historic places for education and preservation. Always obtain permission before visiting and follow local law.