Finding the Mount Gordo GTA V ghost location: What most players get wrong

Finding the Mount Gordo GTA V ghost location: What most players get wrong

You’re trekking up the jagged, unforgiving slopes of Mount Gordo at 11:00 PM in-game. It’s quiet. Too quiet. If you’ve spent any time in the community, you know the legend. You’re looking for Jolene Cranley-Evans. Most people call it the GTA V ghost location, but finding her isn't just about showing up at the right coordinates and hoping for a jump scare. It’s a specific, timed event that ties into one of the darkest pieces of lore Rockstar North ever buried in Los Santos.

Honestly, it’s creepy.

The first time I saw it, I was zoomed in through a heavy sniper scope. If you get too close, she vanishes. That’s the trick. It’s a game of distance and timing that makes this easter egg feel more like a haunting than a piece of code.

Where exactly is the GTA V ghost location on Mount Gordo?

Let’s get the geography out of the way first. You need to head to the northeast corner of the map. Mount Gordo is the smallest of the three main peaks, sitting right above Grapeseed and the El Gordo Lighthouse. You’re looking for a specific flat rock near the summit. If you’re looking at your map, it’s roughly the 11 o’clock position on the mountain.

But here is the thing. You can’t just roll up at noon.

The ghost only manifests between 23:00 and 00:00. That’s a tiny one-minute window in real-time. If you’re standing right on top of the rock when the clock hits 11 PM, nothing happens. She won’t spawn if you’re too close. You have to keep your distance—roughly 20 to 30 virtual yards away.

Use a sniper rifle. Use your phone camera. Just don't walk up to her unless you want her to disappear into the thin San Andreas air.

The "Jock" Connection and the Scrawled Message

When you look at the rock where she stands, there’s something written in blood. It says "JOCK."

This isn't just a random name. It refers to Jock Cranley, the famous stuntman turned politician you see on the in-game TV and hear on the radio. If you dig into the in-game internet—specifically the site Who Killed Leonora Johnson?—you find a news clipping from 1978. It details how Jolene Cranley-Evans fell to her death while hiking with her husband, Jock.

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The police ruled it an accident.

Jolene’s ghost says otherwise. The fact that her spirit lingers at the GTA V ghost location pointing a spectral finger at a beloved public figure is some of the best environmental storytelling in the series. It’s a classic "unsolved" mystery that the game essentially solves for you if you’re willing to look at the bloodstains.

Why people struggle to see the ghost

I’ve seen dozens of threads where players swear their game is glitched. "I'm at the location, it's midnight, where is she?"

First, check your clock. 11 PM is the start. By midnight, she's gone.

Second, the proximity trigger is incredibly sensitive. If you’re trying to take a selfie with her, you’re going to have a bad time. The ghost is programmed to despawn the moment your character model enters a specific radius. It’s meant to be viewed from afar, creating that voyeuristic, unsettling feeling.

Also, it helps to be in single-player mode. While the ghost does appear in GTA Online, the chaos of other players or nearby world events can sometimes mess with the spawn logic. If you want the "pure" experience, take Franklin, Michael, or Trevor up there alone.

Comparing the Ghost to other San Andreas Myterties

Is it as big as the Mount Chiliad Mystery? No. But it's more tangible.

The Mount Gordo ghost is a confirmed, visual easter egg. Unlike the "Bigfoot" sightings that turned out to be a guy in a suit (until the later Peyote plant updates changed that), Jolene is legitimately supernatural within the game's universe. It adds a layer of horror to a game that is usually about high-speed chases and cynical satire.

The atmosphere at that specific GTA V ghost location is heavy. Even without the ghost, the wind howls differently up there.

How to get the best view without spooking her

Don't use a helicopter. The noise and the light seem to mess with the immersion, and landing is a pain on those slopes.

  1. Ride a dirt bike up the trails from Grapeseed around 22:00.
  2. Park below the summit near the path that overlooks the sea.
  3. Equip a Sniper Rifle (a thermal scope actually makes her glow an eerie white, which is a cool touch).
  4. Wait. Watch the clock on your in-game phone.
  5. Zoom in on the peak's flat rocks right at 23:00.

She appears as a wispy, translucent figure in a white dress. She doesn't move. She doesn't scream. She just stares. It’s the stillness that gets to you.

The wider impact of the Mount Gordo haunting

This wasn't just a one-off joke by the developers. The story of Jolene and Jock Cranley is woven into the fabric of the game’s world. You can find her ghost, read about her death on the web, and listen to her husband’s political ads on the radio. It’s a complete narrative circle.

Rockstar used this location to show that Los Santos has a history. It’s not just a playground for the player; it’s a place where bad things happened long before you picked up the controller.

Many fans have tried to find other ghosts, searching the mineshafts and the sunken ships. While there are other "creepy" spots, like the infinite 8 killer’s marks or the underwater hatch, none are as visually striking as the Mount Gordo spirit.

Actionable Steps for Ghost Hunters

If you're heading out tonight to find the GTA V ghost location, keep these specific tips in mind to ensure you don't waste an in-game day:

  • Check the Weather: Heavy rain or fog can make it nearly impossible to see her through a scope. Try to go on a clear night.
  • Don't Shoot: Firing your weapon at her doesn't do anything, but it might attract a 1-star wanted level if a hiker is nearby (rare, but it happens), which ruins the vibe.
  • The Blood Script: Once she vanishes at midnight, walk up to the rock. You can see the word "JOCK" written in red. It’s only visible when she is NOT there.
  • Snap a Photo: Use the Snapmatic app from a distance. It’s one of the few ways to "capture" the ghost and keep a souvenir of the encounter.

The Mount Gordo ghost remains one of the most iconic spots in gaming history because it relies on patience and lore rather than a simple map marker. It’s a reminder that even in a world of digital chaos, there’s still room for a good old-fashioned ghost story. Get your bike, get your rifle, and get up that mountain before the clock strikes eleven.