Trip Date: 10/10/2015
Location: Joshua Tree National Park
Permit/Pass: 7 Day Permit ($15), JT Annual Pass ($30) or National Parks Pass
Trails: NPS Joshua Tree Map
Directions: From Hwy 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway) in Yucca Valley follow the signs to JTNP (south on Park Blvd - Quail Springs Rd - National Park Dr) to the kiosk at the Northwest entrance. Drive 10.5 miles on Park Boulevard to the junction with Keys View Rd. on the right. Turn right onto Key's View Rd. (also called Salton View Rd.) and drive 2.4 miles to a signed left turn for the Lost Horse parking area. The dirt road travels southeast for a mile before coming to the small parking area next to the trailhead.
Synopsis: The views from Lost Horse Mountain are just about as dramatic as from any peak in the park, and they come at a cost in elevation gain that's less than many other spots - though there are a couple of short steeps to gain the summit. Plus you get to work on your off-trail and scrambling skills a bit. Also, taking a side trip to the Lost Horse Mine is worthwhile.
Trail sequence: Lost Horse Mine trail
Type: Out and back
Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation: Min. - 4526’, Max. - 5310'
Profile:
Rating: Moderate (factors: heat, route-finding)
Trail notes: This hike skips visiting the actual Lost Horse mine. But it's a worthwhile stop if you haven't done it.
Track: Lost Horse Mountain - Joshua Tree National Park
Turn by turn:
-- After parking, find the main trailhead at the southeastern corner of the parking lot. (There is another trailhead at the northwestern corner, but that takes you around the Lost Horse Loop. This trip is just an out and back.)
-- There isn't much direction required to stay on track here. The trail trends to the east first, then the southeast, climbing mostly gradually with a dip here and there.
-- As the trail circles to the southeast views to the eastern lower desert begin to open up, making the trip out quite scenic.
-- At something approaching four miles the trail rounds the north side of a hill and the old mine, along with other artifacts and trails on the hillside to the east, come into view. You pass along the west side of the site and begin climbing again toward a low pass to the southeast.
-- As you reach a point where the trail levels out a bit and turns a little to the south you find yourself at the bottom of the northern slope of the hill you're going to climb. Across from the slope is a spur trail heading out to a viewpoint. This is where I began climbing. Aim for (if they're still there) a pair of old yucca stalks sticking out of the top of the first hill. There is no trail, and the hillside is steep and slippery with smallish rocks and gravel, but if you switchback now and again the climbing shouldn't be too bad.
-- After you pass the yucca stalks the terrain levels out, becomes less slippery, and an actual trail appears. From here you see that the mountain itself is the higher peak to the south. Follow the trail up another steep section and over to the cairn-topped summit.
-- When you decide to head back, retrace your route. With the mine in sight as a guide this should be no problem even after the trail fades. The greatest difficulty here is taking your time so you don't slip on the sandy hillside.
-- As you return to the main trail, head northwest past the mine and follow your outbound path back to the parking lot.
Video: Youtube