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 Reporter |
Summary: This is a very easy, yet rewarding hike. There are a few steep drops in some places, and it isn't all flat, although the uphill shouldn't give anyone any trouble. It is a relatively short jaunt; it's but a couple of miles to the old stamp mill. We had lunch and I went a little way into each of the shafts. I didn't bring my headlamp, so I couldn't explore further. I would say to be very careful, but if this is your type of thing, and you know what you are doing, enjoy. Interestingly enough, the mines smell much the same as the simulated ones at Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland. The only real bummer is the graffiti, well and the trash. Next time I go, I am bringing a trash bag along, please do the same if you should decide to go. All along the way you get great vistas of Baldy, Pine, Wright and Iron Mountain. This is a great hike. Trailhead: Take Highway 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) through the Angeles Forest to the Vincent Gap. It is signed as Vincent Gulch/PCT parking. Here you can catch 3 trails - the Vincent Gulch Trail, The PCT to Baden Powell or back towards San Bernardino, and the trail/road to Big Horn Mine. Park on the South Side The trail is very easy to find - just look for the road closed sign - follow the old wagon road the entire way. There are spots where the road is washed out, and you will come across the trail to Vincent Gulch behind the Sheep Mountain Wilderness Sign, but you should just follow the road. NOTE THAT AS OF 10-31-08 HWY 2 IS CLOSED AT ISLIP SADDLE. COME IN FROM THE EAST! (Lat:34.35695 Lon:-117.74504) Trail Guides for Big Horn Mine: Best Hikes With Dogs - Southern California by Allen Riedel (Mountaineers books) Trails of the Angeles - 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Horses, Ranger Contact: Grassy Hollow Visitor Center (626) 821-6737 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Allen Riedel, who has posted 123 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 1 of 7 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Jeff on 4/25/2009 well hiked the mine this morning with my son it was nice then came upon the horn was there a few weeks ago and since then it looks like some low life punks thugs call them what you will did some more tagging what kind of mentality makes someone do something so stupid is be on me destroying history i told my son next time we go we will take our own paint that matches the stamp mill color and cover up all that trash that these low lifes painted i cant wait to do this its ashame that a person would go two miles in to the mountains and destroy something on purpose i just dont get it they should be shot on sight
Reviewed by Viewer on 4/13/2009 Did this hike on 4/11. First time hiking since boyscouts. Im 40 now and went with my wife. Had a blast. didnt go into the mine shafts and didnt get over to the mill becuase the trail was washed out and we didnt want to risk going across with little experience. Little foggy that day but great time out. 
Reviewed by A. Johnny Hill on 4/12/2009 This Hike is Beautiful. Takes about an hour and a half to get to the mine from the parking lot. Take lunch and enjoy the view from the old mill, its Great. Flashlight/Headlamp & extra batteries are good to have if you plan on going in the mine.
Reviewed by Jeff on 4/5/2009 Jeff well we hiked the mine again what a difference from three weeks ago came ready this time with crampons but only needed them in one spot it was a simple hike this time found some new shafts and did alot of exploring a great way to spend a day with my son and friend got there in half the time it took us last time
Reviewed by Jeff on 3/14/2009 the hike was good but very sketchy in five spots because of frozen snow on trail spike shoes would of been ideal one slip would of proved to have been fatal on the eighty degree slope ice i had to carve steps across a good hundred yard stretch with a ice ax otherwise there was no way we would have made it but i must say the reward out weighed the risk once we came upon the mine
Reviewed by zero on 2/28/2009 As soon as I arrived at the parking lot - around 2:30pm - a couple of maintenance guys informed me that they were closing off the area for the night, and that i had to leave immediately. I'm not sure if that was an anomaly just for that day (last Tuesday) but it would be a good idea to check before hiking to avoid getting your car locked in! 
Reviewed by bt on 1/10/2009 Nice hike. I agree with PK, the trecherous trails were hard on my wife who fell 3 times, I call her wounded knee now. I need to find her an easier trail or just not take her next time.
Reviewed by PK on 1/10/2009 Okay, from Riverside, I came up the I-15 and took the 138 to the 2. It worked great! Though the trail head is actually called Miners Gulch Trail and it is 4.5 mi. one way! Right now the trail is mostly covered with about 2 feet of snow and there are four sections of trail that are completely washed away, three of which are extremely trecherous because the snow is frozen, it took a long time to scale these sections, crampons would have been perfect. The views are spectacular and the mine itself is amazing. The kids and I had a great time in the open mine shafts, bring a light! Yes there was some trash and I took out what I could carry, bring a trash sack if you think of it. Would have been a perfect hike minus the snow on the trail! Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, San Bernardino County Hiking, San Bernardino County Trails, San Bernardino County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||