At a Glance
Distance: 6.2 mile loop
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate
Elevation Change: 400 feet
Trail Condition: Very Good
Restrictions: National Park Entrance Fee
Trailhead Coordinates: 33.950685, -116.159805
This loop capped off a perfect car camping weekend in Joshua Tree. Heading south on Keys View road, make a left onto Lost Horse Mine road about 2.4 miles past the fork at Park Boulevard. Continue down to the very end of Lost Horse Mine road and you will find parking and pit toilets at the trail head. Once you turn off Keys View, you will be on a dirt road to the trail head, but fear not, my little sub-compact Chevy made it with no problem.
We hit the trail early in the morning, as it's a popular hike and the parking lot fills up. Heading in the clockwise direction, you have two options: the 4 mile and change out and back hike to the mine, or head around the mountain to complete the 6.2 mile loop. If you have enough energy and water, I strongly encourage you to complete the whole loop.
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| Heading up the hill toward Lost Horse Mine |
The first two miles to Lost Horse Mine greeted us with a gradual incline and gentle, rolling hills. The hills were a smooth, refreshing change from the often striking and severe peaks and points towering above the desert floor. This area was badly burned by a fire and there is a noticeable lack of vegetation, so please do your part in helping this area recover by staying on trails and not disturbing the surrounding plants and wildlife. Shoot off the main trail to get a little closer to the mine and take a snack and water break before heading around the hill. Note that due to vandalism, the mine itself has been fenced in. While you can't get close enough to the mine to touch it, there are informative and interesting signs posted about the history of Lost Horse Mine and the importance of mining to the area in the early twentieth century.
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| The Valley Floor stretched out to the East |
I wasn't sure what was in store for us as we headed past the mine and around the hill. Luckily for us, we were about to enter an area untouched by the recent fire with sweeping views of the basin to the East. Winding up and around the nearby hill, we were greeted by a lot of small elevation gains and losses as we twisted and turned toward Quail Wash. The trail here narrows quite a bit, and while mountain biking is forbidden on this trail, there were obvious tire tracks along the trail, so keep an eye out and be safe as you move along the ridge. Stop and take a minute to enjoy the views of the valley stretched out toward the East and see if you can spot Malapai Hill.
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| Chimney just before Quail Wash |
The narrow hillside trail eventually flattens out into Quail Wash, the final portion of the Lost Horse Mine Loop. The Joshua Trees in this wash are absolutely superb. This portion of the trail surprised me with some of the largest and most elegant Joshua Trees I had seen in the park to date. I can only imagine what this wash must look and sound like after a thunderstorm or flash flood, with water rushing through the sand around the great trunks of the Joshua Trees. As this wash forks and winds through the valley, keep an eye out for posted signs keeping you on the trail. The park rangers do an excellent job of posting signs where turnoffs may be the most confusing, but it's up to you to navigate through the wash appropriately.
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| Quail Wash |
Enjoy your last moments of solitude and the beauty of Joshua Tree as you wander through Quail Wash. Soon you will turn the corner and be back on Lost Horse Mine road, a few short steps from the parking lot. As you wind through the mine area, back around the mountain and through the wash I hope you enjoyed the scenery and all that Joshua Tree has to offer as much as I did.
