Name: Lost Horse Mine Loop
Rating: 4.1

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Overview

A great option if you're looking for a bit of history on your hike.

Description

The trail to Lost Horse Mine starts at the end of Lost Horse Mine Road. Follow an old abandoned mining road two miles to reach the crumbling remains of Lost Horse Mine. Between 1894 and 1942 the mine produced over 10,000 ounces of gold and 16,000 ounces of silver. Today the mine is surrounded by a chain link fence to protect visitors from the dangerous, open mine shafts.

Beyond Lost Horse Mine the trail climbs Lost Horse Mountain, where you can enjoy terrific views from the 5,313-foot (1,619-meter) summit. After a short, steep descent you'll pass a stone chimney that marks the remains of Optimist Mine (which never produced any gold). From the Optimist Mine follow a sandy wash back to the parking area.

Thanks to guidebook author and photographer, James Kaiser, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about visiting Joshua Tree, check out his Guide to Joshua Tree National Park.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Joshua Tree National Park

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James Kaiser

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.1 from 31 votes

#5

in Joshua Tree National Park

#561

Overall

4.1 from 31 votes

5 Star		42%
4 Star		35%
3 Star		16%
2 Star		3%
1 Star		3%

Recommended Route Rankings

87 Views Last Month

4,649 Since Jun 2, 2016

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Photos

Jun 9, 2016 near Sky Valley, CA

May 21, 2016 near Sky Valley, CA

Jun 10, 2016 near Sky Valley, CA

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 27 days ago

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Check-Ins

Aug 30, 2023

Nina Buffi

Apr 5, 2023

Juli Yoder

Nov 25, 2022

Brian L

out and back to mine 4mi

Apr 9, 2022

John Hobbs

Loop with the gang, great rock variety and J-Tree valley on west side

Mar 1, 2021

Tom Herr

Wonderful hike through the hills and mountains of the Mojave desert. Climbed up to the old mine and enjoyed the relaxing hike around the loop. 6.4mi

Feb 20, 2021

Amy Pahlen

Jan 26, 2021

Nicole Wright

7.3mi

Jan 8, 2021

Kev pat

10h 48m

Jan 5, 2021

Lou Hibbard

With Janelle. Some nice hill hiking. Saw Loggerhead Shrike 6.4mi

Oct 10, 2020

Michael Judge

Took a stop to see the Lost Horse Mine. 6.7mi — 2h 15m

Oct 5, 2020

Keith Connor

Spent a little time at the mine but enjoyed the latter half of the loop the most; nice stand of large Joshuah Trees - saw a number of quail and liz… 6.4mi — 2h 40m

Sep 19, 2020

Kendra Nerad

Jun 6, 2020

Chris Gordon

6.4mi — 2h 38m

Feb 16, 2020

Renae Walker

Go clockwise!! Great hike with lots to see the 1st half, last 2 miles not as much to see 6.5mi — 3h 30m

Feb 8, 2020

Scott George

Jan 22, 2020

Justin Carlisle

2h 50m

Jan 11, 2020

Megan Davidson

Jan 10, 2020

Rachel Acosta

Dec 17, 2019

Renée Hagen

Oct 22, 2019

J Gonzalez

6.8mi — 2h 44m

Oct 1, 2019

Robert Ellspermann

4.2mi

Sep 15, 2019

Allison K

Out to mine and back. Not the loop 4mi

Jun 28, 2019

Bailey Ramler

May 26, 2019

Yvon le Goff

Apr 1, 2019

Lori A

Alone — 14h 27m

Mar 18, 2019

Paul Goodrich

Shaneé and Paul

Mar 18, 2019

David Kohl

Mar 11, 2019

Hannah Camisasca-Lopina

Dec 8, 2018

Ryan Dunn

6.2mi — 4h 00m

Nov 22, 2018

Carol Skelly

Awesome trail! Strenuous at times, beautiful viewable

Oct 27, 2018

Courtney B

6.8mi

Oct 20, 2018

Kevin Echavarria

Sep 23, 2018

Adam Stallman

Best the hike this one clockwise for the best views. 7mi

Aug 26, 2018

Kelsey Burnis

we've tried finishing this trail 3 times... 2.5mi

May 28, 2018

Marcia Paasch

Apr 28, 2018

S.G. Thompson

Drier, Colorado River desert part of the Park with good views and a noticeable change in scenery/vegetation throughout. 6.2mi

Apr 8, 2018

Tim Lawler

Mar 11, 2018

Valeria Cancino

6.4mi

Mar 6, 2018

Private User

Mar 3, 2018

Brandon Dell

Completed with Taylor and Anje and Kim 6mi

Feb 3, 2018

Marc Kohli

Jan 28, 2018

Alyssa Tischler

6.5mi

Jan 13, 2018

Andrea San Sil

6mi

Jan 7, 2018

Katie Duron

Dec 22, 2017

Emilie Elizabeth

Nov 18, 2017

Francine Brown

Jul 30, 2017

William Rhodes

great trail. 4mi

Apr 4, 2017

Lauren McHugh

The trail has beautiful vistas and a good amount is flat and comfortable. 6.4mi

Apr 1, 2017

Sue Zearfoss

Great views and diverse terrain. Be sure to start at the trailhead at the end of the parking lot and follow the arrow for the loop direction.

Apr 1, 2017

Brandon Hsu

Mar 8, 2017

Hannah Kornfeld

Feb 9, 2017

Jacob Lamers

4mi

Dec 23, 2016

Stefanie Schroeyens

Dec 10, 2016

Rebecca Jacques

Nov 21, 2016

Craig Stankis

Oct 16, 2016

Cloud R.R

Apr 29, 2016

Emilio Santiago

Nov 1, 2015

Cristalle Stutrud

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Lost Horse Mine Loop

“A nice trail to one of Joshua Tree's most famous gold mines. ”

6.4

10.4

Loop

5,075' 1,547 m

4,571' 1,393 m

664' 202 m

679' 207 m

4%

22%

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Dogs No Dogs

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Trail Ratings

#5

#561

#5

#93

#561

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