Hiking Trail Guide: Joshua Tree NP - Lost Horse Mine and Mountain

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Joshua Tree NP - Lost Horse Mine and Mountain

Distance
4.5 miles

Elevation
700 feet gain

Difficulty
3/10

City
Joshua Tree ,CA (92252) 112.1 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
Take the 10 towards Palm Springs and exit on the 62 heading North. Follow the 62 through the desert hamlets of Morongo, Yucca Valley, and Joshua Tree. From there you will see signs that tell you how far you are from the West entrance to the park. Turn right on Park and follow it to the entrance booth where you'll pay a $10 fee that is good for one week in the park.

Drive about ten miles to Key's View Road, turn right (just before Cap Rock) and follow it until you see a sign for Lost Horse Mine. Drive about a mile down the dirt road to the parking area.

The trail is actually an old wagon road, some washes cross it in places, but it is easy to stay on the trail

Description

This is a fine and fairly easy introductory hike to Joshua Tree National Park. You get some good mountain views, follow an historic wagon road that leads to the most prosperous of Joshua Tree gold mines. The remains of which are kept behind a chain link fence for their protection.

A shame that so many people would deface and destroy something from our heritage, but they would. If you need an example, visit any mine in the Angeles National Forest.

If you head in at a good pace, you'll be there before you know it. My total hike time for this trip was one hour and ten minutes, and I wasn't even trying to be fast, but if you set out at your leisure, or have elders or children with you, this may just be the hike of a lifetime. There is something here for everyone to enjoy, and that doesn't even mention the arbor of Joshuas on the road to the trailhead.

Map / Directions: