Hiking Trail Guide: Big Horn Mine

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Big Horn Mine

Distance
4 miles

Elevation
1100 feet gain

Difficulty
4/10

City
Wrightwood ,CA (92397) 45.46 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
Take Highway 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) through the Angeles Forest to the Vincent Gap. It is signed as Vincent Gulch/PCT parking. Here you can catch 3 trails - the Vincent Gulch Trail, The PCT to Baden Powell or back towards San Bernardino, and the trail/road to Big Horn Mine.

Park on the South Side

The trail is very easy to find - just look for the road closed sign - follow the old wagon road the entire way. There are spots where the road is washed out, and you will come across the trail to Vincent Gulch behind the Sheep Mountain Wilderness Sign, but you should just follow the road.

Description

This is a very easy, yet rewarding hike. There are a few steep drops in some places, and it isn't all flat, although the uphill shouldn't give anyone any trouble.

It is a relatively short jaunt; it's but a couple of miles to the old stamp mill. We had lunch and I went a little way into each of the shafts. I didn't bring my headlamp, so I couldn't explore further. I would say to be very careful, but if this is your type of thing, and you know what you are doing, enjoy.

Interestingly enough, the mines smell much the same as the simulated ones at Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland.

The only real bummer is the graffiti, well and the trash. Next time I go, I am bringing a trash bag along, please do the same if you should decide to go.

All along the way you get great vistas of Baldy, Pine, Wright and Iron Mountain. This is a great hike.

Map / Directions: