Trip Date: 10/9/2016
Location: Joshua Tree National Park
Permit/Pass: 7 Day Permit ($15), JT Annual Pass ($30) or National Parks Pass
Trails: NPS
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 15.7 miles on Park Boulevard (be sure to stay left at the junction with Keys View Rd.) to the entrance to Desert Queen Mine Rd. Turn left and drive the short distance to the parking area. If the main area is full there is overflow parking a few yards back at the fork in the road.
Synopsis: We're not huge fans of hikes to areas of historical interest, but consider that this is Joshua Tree, and the park is always a fascinating place to travel and play in the rocks. The mine sites are interesting, and worth visiting - especially for those who are into that kind of thing - but as usual the real star of this hike, which really gets fun after passing the Desert Queen area, is the landscape itself.
Trail sequence: Desert Queen Mine trail / Interpretive sign spur trail / Desert Queen Mine / Eagle Cliffs Mine trail / Desert Queen Mine
Type: Out and back
Distance: 3.6 miles
Elevation: Min. - 4262’, Max. - 4580'
Profile:
Rating: Easy-Moderate (factors: heat, some scrambling, route-finding)
Notes: This is just a three and a half mile hike, but it took us about three hours. That's not because it's a particularly strenuous hike (it isn't), but there is a lot of stopping and looking at stuff (mostly historical mine shafts and artifacts) along the way, as well as a few places where some careful negotiation of steep or slidey terrain, and even a small bit of scrambling, is required.
Track: Desert Queen Mine / Eagle Cliffs Mine - Joshua Tree NP: Alltrails, GaiaGPS
Turn by turn:
-- Find the trailhead for the Desert Queen Mine hike just to the right (east) of the restroom. There are several different trailheads here, so it's best to check the markers as you head out.
-- Walk the gently rising trail to the east for about a third of a mile to a leveled-off landing with an interpretive plaque which recounts the history of the Desert Queen Mine, most of which can be accessed by way of the trail on the other side of the ravine. (Keep an eye peeled on the way out for a right turn to an old stone structure to the south of the trail - this route also continues down to the ravine and links up with the rest of the DQ mine trail.) We investigated this high point for a short while, then, unaware of the alternate trail, dropped down the steep cliff to the ravine (we urge others to use established trails, as the hillside we clambered over is already becoming impacted).
-- Head to the south through the bottom of the ravine to find the continuation of the trail heading up the east side of the gully. At the top of this climb along the walls of the gully, you'll find the bulk of the abandoned mine shafts. (If you decide to turn back from here the hike is about a mile and a half total.) To continue on to the Eagle Cliffs area, head across the rocky hilltop and follow the trail to the southeast for a short distance before it turns north again and begins rounding a rocky outcrop.
-- After a bit of sustained hiking to the east the trail drops into a sandy collection area. From here it turns toward the south and heads up the small gulch (look for the pointy rock at the top of the ridge enclosing the gulch). Follow the trail between a couple of tall boulders and then up the east side of the gully until it reaches the rocky walls. From here there is a brief scramble, then some steep switchbacking up to the ridge top. This is where you'll find the Eagle Cliffs Mine. (From here the trail leads off to the east again, allowing the hiker to continue on to the Split Rock trailhead.) We explored the area for a while, then headed back.
-- Upon returning to the Desert Queen Mine ravine look across from where the trail outlets onto the wash to pick up the return trail. There was a toppled cairn here, but even if it's missing you can recognize the trail continuation by the white rocky "steps" that begin climbing to the northeast. After you level out and turn to the west you reach a fork in the trail. We chose the right fork, as this seemed to be going in the correct direction, but a look at the track above shows that we may have chosen incorrectly. In any case the shortcut we took brought us directly to the aforementioned abandoned stone buildings, then ascended to meet the original trail. From here, turn left (west) and head back to the trailhead.
Photos: Flickr