Overview
Olancha and Cartago are settlements in the Desert Region of Inyo County, California.
1 sights · 1 places to eat
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Olancha-Cartago
Cottonwood Charcoal Kilns
Historic kilns that were used to produce charcoal to power the smelters for the Cerro Gordo Mine.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 98°F; winter lows dip to about 28°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Independence)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BIH Eastern Sierra Regional Airport, Bishop — 78 mi away. Directions
- BFL Meadows Field, Bakersfield — 83 mi away. Directions
- FAT Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno — 101 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Olancha (originally Olanche) and Cartago (originally Carthage, Daniersburg, and Lakeville) are near the southern tip of Owens Lake, which is mostly a dry lake. The lake held a significant amount of water until the rivers and streams that flowed into it were diverted to the Los Angeles Aqueduct in the 1910s. Cartago is near an abandoned settlement known as Carthage, and its current name is taken from the Spanish name for the ancient Pheonician city of Carthage in modern day Tunisia.
See
See Cottonwood Charcoal Kilns
Historic kilns that were used to produce charcoal to power the smelters for the Cerro Gordo Mine.
Eat
Eat Gus's Really Good Fresh Jerky
A converted gas station, it's advertised all along Highway 395 as selling "World Famous Jerky" — including beef, elk, turkey, and other dried meat products. Their selection of honeys, dried fruits, nuts, and olives is also quite impressive.
Nearby
Lone Pine
City / town · 11 listings · 23 mi away
Mount Whitney
Park · 3 listings · 26 mi away
Sequoia National Forest
Park · 11 listings · 32 mi away
Independence
City / town · 7 listings · 38 mi away
Kernville
City / town · 5 listings · 43 mi away
Inyokern
City / town · 1 listings · 45 mi away
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Park · 39 listings · 47 mi away
Ridgecrest
City / town · 24 listings · 49 mi away
My experience
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