Gold mining is a big part of California’s history so when we heard there was an old gold mine at Joshua Tree, we were excited to go see it. The 4 mile hike took us through some beautiful vegetation as well as through a burned area which has left the vegetation decimated.
The Lost Horse gold mine was operated from the late 1800’s until the 1930’s and the ten stamp mill can still be seen today. Water tanks and other miscellaneous pieces of equipment can also be seen at the site.
The initial part of the hike was a desert kind of lush with a variety of yucca, cacti and the striking Parry’s nolina covered in seed pods. We eventually came to the area which had burned back in 1999. Evidently deserts recover slowly as the burn still looked fresh on the remaining vegetation.
right: A burned Joshua Tree.
left: Some of the burned Joshua Trees resembled blooming flowers.
right: Parry’s Nolina with seed pods.
Left: Parry’s Nolina with most of the seed pods gone.
The mine site was perched on the side of a steep hill. The equipment was still in very good condition considering its age. The arid climate is evidently kind to wood as the framework remaining still had a beautiful patina.
After exploring the mill, we made our way to the top of the hill where we had 360 degree views that were spectacular. It also turned out to be a great picnic spot.
After the hike, we made our way over to some of the smaller jumbles of rocks Joshua Tree is noted for so the Dudes could do some scrambling. The Big Dude was in heaven as he is always looking for something to climb. The Hippygeek lead the Lil’ Dude on some smaller rocks. When they returned, I asked him how it was to do some rock climbing and he said “it was good but, I’m glad to be back on land!”
right: The Lil’ Dude has a keen eye for finding heart rocks.
We watched the light on the rocks go from bright orange, to pale orange to no light at all then it was time to go home. But, we planned to come back the next day because there was a hike that lead to another mine site which had vehicles from the 1930’s and the grave of a man murdered over a water dispute….Oh, to have lived in the old West!
“When faced with a mountain, I will not quit!, I will keep striving until I climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath or simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine” Robert Half