Lost Horse Mine Trail | Joshua Tree National Park, CA

In the late 1800s, miners dug around 300 mines in the lands now protected as Joshua Tree National Park. The Lost Horse Mine is one the best-preserved gold mines in the southwest area of the park. You can access by hiking a full 6.7 mile circular trail. This loop can be walked in either directions.

From the trailhead, the path follows an old mine road until you reach a big wooden stamp mill. Currently, the mine is surrounded by a fence to protect visitors from the dangerous.

Between 1894 and 1931, the mine produced 10,000 ounces of gold and 16,000 ounces of silver.

Lost Horse Mine

Lost Horse Mine

Past the mine, the trail goes up and reach a mountain pass. On the right, you can see the highest point of the Lost Horse Mountain. Leave the main road and follow the indications to get the summit (5313 ft). By the way, don't forget your camera, the views are impressive.

Summit of the Lost Horse Mountain

Return to the mountain pass by the same path. Now a downhill hike begins along a well-established trail. After a short descent, a stone chimney appears in the middle of the way, that marks the remains of the Optimist Mine bunkhouse. From this point follow a sandy wash back to the parking area.

Optimist Mine bunkhouse