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A fairly easy hike, along an old wagon road, to an abandoned gold mine.


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Map Key

1.9

Miles

3.0

KM

Point to Point

6,874' 2,095 m

High

6,455' 1,968 m

Low

445' 136 m

Up

160' 49 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly There's an old gold mine!

Need to Know

The mine is on private property. The Forest Service does not recommend visiting the site nor are there any signs showing the direction to the mine.

Description

From the Vincent Gap parking area, take the wide trail to the left (south) around a white pipe gate. In 0.1 miles there is a junction with the Mine Gulch Trail #338W03 . Keep right. This old wagon road skirts the eastern side of Mt. Baden-Powell as it makes its way to the mine. At this elevation on the mountainside the vegetation is mostly scrub with scattered trees, so shade can be sparse. There are a couple of spots where the road has been washed out over the years, but the trail is easy to follow through the washes. There are a couple of washes that have ropes to assist in crossing, but these just add to the fun.

There is quite a bit of graffiti at the mine, but don't let that discourage you. Yes, you can do a little mine exploring, but there are dangers, and the Forest Service frowns upon it. Keep in mind that the mine is very dark and full of water.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jason Ethridge with improvements by Alan Coles

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 14 votes

#1

in Blue Ridge

#847

Overall
  4.4 from 14 votes
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Trail Rankings

#1

in Blue Ridge

#106

in California

#847

Overall
24 Views Last Month
6,031 Since Jun 18, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

A warm winter hike with a spectacular view south.
Feb 4, 2023 near Wrightwood, CA
Big Horn Mine.
Jun 18, 2016 near Wrightwood, CA
Mine Gulch Trail near Vincent Gap.
Oct 31, 2022 near Wrightwood, CA
Sheep Mountain Wilderness boundary
Oct 31, 2022 near Wrightwood, CA

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 95 days ago
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Check-Ins

Sep 11, 2022
Lluvia A
2.5mi
Jun 6, 2020
Laarni Policarpio
Mar 28, 2020
Sesha Pinnaduwage
Jul 21, 2019
Jorge Razo
Great views along trail 1.9mi
May 20, 2019
Matt Waters
May 12, 2019
Jodi Burke
Mar 31, 2019
Amanda Rosenblum
Part of trail destroyed by rock slide. 4mi
Dec 22, 2018
Matt Waters
The snow has mostly melted away but has some ice patches in the shade. Rock slides in one portion of the trail is the only real issue currently. Th… 1.9mi
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