Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail: Joshua Tree National Park

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This was an amazing hike.  Full of history and stunning beauty.

At the beginning of the 20^th Century, the Lost Horse Mine, so named because Johnny Lang, the owner for most of the time, came upon someone else’s claim while looking for his lost horse.  He bought the rights for $1000, and prospected the place for about 15 years.  When the mine played out, he apparently just lived there—he must have either thought of it as his home, or maybe thought he could find another vein.  At its peak he and his partners had 35 people working there.  Found 9000 ounces of gold. 

To get to the mine one takes the old mining road for two miles.  We followed this road to this mine, and beyond, and all I can say is that it is a good thing that mules have 4-wheel drive.  

Many of the mining structures are still present.  Really interesting. 

 

After one leaves the mine, the trail goes over the summit to provide some of the most incredible views of the park. 

The hill in this photo is called Malapai Hill.  We had lunch overlooking this valley.  I know how to take a girl out to lunch, don’t I?  

One continues hiking on the mining road past two other mines—the Lang Mine (different from the Lost Horse Mine):

 

and this next one:  the Optimist Mine (interesting name, huh?), with old mine shafts and the fireplace remnant of the miner’s home....and his old bed. 

 

What was amazing to us was the mining road that went to all three mines we saw.   It must have taken a long time and many men to construct and was at times very steep.  Whoever drove wagons down those roads must have had nerves of steel. 

If you visit Joshua Tree National Park we would strongly recommend this hike.  We would also suggest you take it in the counter clockwise direction as we did.  If you constrain yourself to just walking to the mine and back you will miss some of the best parts of the loop.  Total distance was 7.2 miles, with an elevation gain of 1200 feet.