Lost Horse Mine and Mountain Trail in Joshua Tree National Park

Lost Horse Mine and Mountain Trail

Located along Keys View Road, Lost Horse Mine is one of the best-preserved relics of the Gold Rush era.

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Lost Horse Mine and Mountain Trail Details

Located along Keys View Road, Lost Horse Mine is one of the best-preserved relics of the Gold Rush era. The mine dates back to 1890, when rancher Johnny Lang bought the claim for $1,000. It was one of the area's few successful mines, producing more than 10,000 ounces of gold and 16,000 ounces of silver in 37 years of operation. Hikers can visit the mine either via a 6.7-mile loop around Lost Horse Mountain or an easier out-and-back 4-mile hike directly to the mine. The first section of the loop hike goes around the southwestern flank of Lost Horse Mountain; signposts roughly every ¼ mile will indicate that you're still on the trail. Mojave Desert flora includes Joshua trees, yucca and creosote. You'll first spot Lost Horse Mine at mile 4.5, although it is enclosed by a safety fence. The trailhead for this moderately strenuous trail is at the parking area 1.2 miles east of Keys View Road.

Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

4-6.7 miles

Estimated time

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around Lost Horse Mine and Mountain Trail

Compare nearby parks around Lost Horse Mine and Mountain Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

15.5 mi away

Joshua Tree

National Park · CA

178.0 mi away

Death Valley

National Park · CA

271.6 mi away

Grand Canyon

National Park · AZ

286.7 mi away

Zion

National Park · UT

325.1 mi away

Yosemite

National Park · CA

332.9 mi away

Pinnacles

National Park · CA

Nearby Points of Interest Around Lost Horse Mine and Mountain Trail

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Lost Horse Mine and Mountain Trail while the map context is still fresh.

1.5 mi away

Lost Horse Mine

Lost Horse Mine produced more than 10,000 ounces of gold and 16,000 ounces of silver between 1894 and 1931.

1.8 mi away

Juniper Flats

Fancy a desert hike among the Joshua Trees (and junipers, of course)? Check out the trails in the Juniper Flats area.

1.9 mi away

California Riding and Hiking Trail

The California Hiking and Riding Trail stretches for 35 miles in Joshua Tree, passing through pinyon/juniper forests, Joshua tree forests, and creosote-covered lowlands.

2.3 mi away

Ryan Campground

Ryan Campground has 31 sites, with about half large enough for RVs.

2.3 mi away

Keys View

Keys View, perched on the crest of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, is a popular stop for park visitors.