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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 2 of 7 Submit your own review 
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!
Reviewed by DC on 12/19/2008 I did this hike recently and had a great time. Drive to the parking lot had some amazing views and the trailhead was very easy to find. I would highly recommend this for those who like to explore, as the mine has a lot to look at. here is a book that I made from the trip. you dont have to download anything, just copy and paste the link. scroll to the right. choose one or two page view and hit the left or right arrows at the bottom of the page. http://www.mypublisher.com/bookshelf/bookviewer.py?d=tq%3Ey-cppl%60je%3E3594111 
Reviewed by Vince R. on 11/3/2008 You definitely cannot get here from the 2 freeway coming from La Canada Flintridge. Go around, off the 15, take the 138, then the 2. Well worth the drive. Incredible views, got caught by a good rain storm. It took us an hour from the parking area to the mines. Make sure your flash light is reliable because having it fail on you would really be a problem. It's hunting season by the way, wear bright colors. Will definitely do this kike again!
Reviewed by Brad S on 10/28/2008 10/25/08 My wife and I have recently adopted Jack Russell and were looking for ways to burn some of his energy. I came across this site and thought that this would be a great way to get out away from everyday life. This I have to admit was our first time hiking. I definately wanted an easy trail to start with.I am glad that this was our first trail. The views are beautiful and when you come around the corner in view of the mill, you instantly appreciate the uphill trek it took to get there. It is unfortunate of the tagging, but it is still an amazing place to visit. After seeing the sights, my wife and I agreed that we have to come back soon. We will be bringing friends along next time so they can experience this for themselves.
Reviewed by Ron on 10/27/2008 The 2 is closed between Vincent Gap and Islip Saddle. You can get to Vincent Gap from the 2 from 138 or you can take Big Rock Creek Road past Valyermo till it dead ends at Fenner Conservation Camp and enter the open gate to the right and take the 3 mile dirt road to Vincent Gap. If you are coming from the 14 or Palmdale / Lancaster area it is faster to go Big Rock Creek. (You can look it up on Mapquest or Google to see how to get to Big Rock Creek Road.) Coming from the Riverside areas take 138 to the 2 and it will dead end at Vincent Gap. Good Luck. NOTE: If you take the dirt road from Fenner it remains open usually till the first snow. Also its a well graded road so a 4 wheel drive is not needed, just drive slow and use caution. 
Reviewed by John K on 10/27/2008 I put one star because I could not get there using the directions on the site: 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. When traveling via HWY 2 from La Canada, HWY 2 is closed at the Mt. Islip trailhead, about 10 miles According to the ranger the road has been closed following a road washout 2 years ago and Caltrans hasn't completed reconstruction. Does anyone know if you can access this hike from the 138, Pearblossom HWY? I see some post recently from the last week. How did they get there? 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||