State: California
Location: Joshua Tree National Park
Length, Round Trip: 4 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Minimum Elevation: 4680 feet
Maximum Elevation: 5278 feet
Elevation Change: 500 feet
Best Season: Spring, Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate
Carson Pass California
Trail Information
The Lost Horse Mine and Mountain Trail in Death Valley National Park is accessed from Quail Springs Road via Keys View Road. The trail heads southeast from the end of the road to the site of an abandoned mining village. People hiking this trail can explore the abandoned Ten-stamp Mill and several cabin ruins.
The Lost Horse Mine and Mountain Trail is a great hike offering something for every hiking enthusiast. A moderate out-and-back to a large mining complex with side trips to several high panoramic points. There is also a longer more strenuous loop for those wishing to add a bit of adventurous route-finding into the trip. An unmaintained trail leads in a loop back to the trailhead. The loop climbs past the mining village along the western flanks of Lost Horse Mountain then descends into a drainage which heads back to the access road.
The total distance for the loop is about seven miles but the hike to reach the mining village is only two miles each way.
Directions
From Joshua Tree:
Follow Quail Springs Road southward past Ryan Campground. Less than 2 miles past the junction of the California Riding and Hiking Trail is a spur road that leads eastward. Turn left on to this road and follow it 0.5 miles to the trailhead.
