Page 12 – CA Hiking Adventures

Big Horn Mine Trail: Map, Directions, & Bonus Cabin Ruins

Total Miles: 3.84
Time: 2.5 Hrs
Difficulty: Easy
Best Season: All Year
Elevation Gain: 983 ft
Max Elevation: 6894 ft
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Parking Lot: Fits ≈ 30 cars
Dogs: Allowed On A Leash
Restrooms: Available At The Parking Lot
Trail Popularity: Very High
Pics Taken On: Apr 3, 2021

Deep in the San Gabriel Mountains, a 128 year old abandoned mine is still accessible if you dare to venture inside. But that’s not all. The founder, Charles, built a cabin about a mile away from the mine, which is still standing and can also be explored.

Big Horn Mine trail is a 4 mile, relatively easy hike in the Angeles National Forest. The trail begins at Vincent’s Gap, boasts beautiful pine trees, and amazing views of various peaks, including San Antonio. Snow can be expected during the winter months.

The Big Horn Mine made it to my list of best hikes in SoCal AND Los Angeles because it’s so unique. The other hikes on those lists include Nazi ruins, 500 foot waterfalls, and the most jaw dropping views you can imagine. Click the links to view them all:

Best Hikes In Los Angeles

Best Hikes In Southern California

Big Horn Mine Trail Map

Download Printable PDF Map

Directions

Click the following link to be redirected to Vincent’s Gulch Divide (Big Horn Mine Trailhead) via Google Maps: Pacific Crest Trail, Azusa, CA 91702

Helpful Links

Weather Forecast

SoCal Adventure Pass (required to park in SoCal mountains)

Big Horn Mine Hike

The trailhead is located at the Vincent Gulch Divide. Walk past the white gate to begin your adventure.

big horn mine

The views are spectacular regardless of where you look.

After trekking for roughly a mile, you’ll see a mine shaft with water flowing through it.

If you were to enter through here, you’d probably reconnect with one of the adits from the main entrance. Unfortunately, this portal is blocked off.

After passing the shaft, you’ll come across a very narrow section of the trail. Be very careful if the trail has snow because one wrong step can have you sliding down 300 feet.

If you visit while there’s snow, I highly recommend taking trekking poles and microspikes as there are 3 narrow sections. Better safe than sorry!

After crossing the narrow sections, you will arrive at your destination.

It’s safe to walk inside the remains of the building, and when you do, you’ll enjoy some of the best views of San Antonio Peak, Pine Mountain, and West Baldy.

The canyon below you is the start of the East Fork, which leads to the popular hikes, Bridge to Nowhere and Shoemaker Canyon Rd.

Big Horn Mine

Did you know LA has an old abandoned zoo? It’s located in Griffith Park, and you can check it out by clicking the link here: Old LA Zoo.

To enter the mine, make your way through the back lefthand corner of the building where part of it has collapsed.

The rubble on the left side of the structure used to be a part of the building, but was washed away by Mother Nature.

The portal is guarded by an old rusted door that gives the mine a very spooky vibe.

The first part of the adit is barely big enough for a tall person to stand upright, but after about 50 feet, the size of the adit significantly increases.

A whopping 8,700 feet of passages are, for the most part, unexplored along with an underground lake!

Unfortunately for this adventure, a group of people came out of the mine before we entered and warned us about a strange individual who was behaving aggressively towards them. We decided to play it safe and not venture too far inside.

However, we had explored the inside of the mine about a year prior to starting this blog. We found HUGE pits so deep our flashlights couldn’t illuminate the bottom.

Tunnels split off into various directions and the sound of water droplets falling from the ceiling was the only thing we could hear. We plan on revisiting for our Youtube Channel, and when we do we’ll have more pictures for you.

Big Horn Mine

The Big Horn Mine is my favorite abandoned place in Southern California. My 2nd favorite are the nuclear war escape tunnels which were built during the Cold War to help Los Angelinos quickly get out of SoCal in the event of a nuclear missile attack from Russia.

Check them out by clicking the link here: Shoemaker Canyon Road

BONUS: Vincent’s Cabin

If you enjoyed exploring the Big Horn Mine, paying a visit to Vincent’s Cabin is a must do! The cabin can be found on the way back from the mine.

However, you’ll need to download an app called All Trails in order to pinpoint where the trail splits and begins to descend. It’s actually very difficult to spot, which is why I suggest using the app.

Shortly after diverging from the Big Horn Mine Trail, you’ll arrive at a small clearing where the century old cabin entices you to continue exploring.

It was the hermit Charles Tom Vincent who built this cabin back in the early 1900s to avoid civilization. The cabin is tiny, only about 10 by 12 feet, with a chimney and two windows.

Rusted pots and cans lay scattered throughout the place, but I was unable to determine wether they belonged to him or someone more recent.

Imagine how difficult it was for Vincent to keep warm in this tiny one-room home or how he managed to sleep at night knowing wild Grizzly bears wandered outside his cabin and could easily break in if they wanted to.

Not surprisingly, it was an attack by three grizzly bears that put the living legend to rest, but I’ll get into that in the next sections.

Big Horn Mine History

*Photo credits and information gathered from Wrightwood Roots

Located deep within the slopes of Mount Badel Powell, The Big Horn Mine was founded in 1895 by civil war veteran Charles Vincent Dougherty (later changed his name to Charles Tom Vincent) while out on a hunt for Bighorn Sheep.

After discovering gold, he quickly partnered with his Civil War friend Charles Locher (Lockwood) and prospector N.D Shippy.

Unfortunately, the strenuous and expensive process of gathering and crushing the ore became too costly for Vincent and his buddies.

He sold the mine to Lowell and California Mining Company in 1902 but kept two other claims known as the Blue Cat Mile and Little Nell Mile.

At over 300 ft deep and 8700 ft (roughly two miles) long, the Big Horn Mine became a colossal project.

Unfortunately, Vincent and his partners missed out on their luck as the mine produced over $100,000, primarily in gold, but also silver, copper, and lead.

The years that followed were some of the most productive and profitable times for the new miners, specifically from 1903 to 1906.

The mine was abandoned after a decade of hard and rewarding work only to be reopened in 1934 and closed down again two years later.

Old Vincent’s Mysterious Past

Charles Vincent was seen as a mysterious man. He left Arizona, where he worked as a prospector, to try his luck in sunny California.

He built a small cabin in Vincent Gulch, and spent his time hunting and mining. Always on the chase for of gold.

Living in the mountains posed a real threat for Charles, not only from extreme weather, but also from the notorious California grizzly bear, which was not extinct during that time.

Unfortunately for Charles, he was out on a hunt when he accidentally snuck up on three grizzly bears.

The three bears charged at Charles. He shot and killed the first two, but in a misfortunate turn of events, his gun jammed before he could shoot the third.

He knew he would never be able to outrun the third bear, which meant only one thing. He had to stand and fight for his life. He quickly took out his knife waited for the bear.

How Charles managed to single handedly kill a full grown grizzly with a knife can only be speculated. However, all was not well.

Shortly thereafter, Charles succumbed to his injuries in 1926 in a Los Angeles hospital. Interestingly enough, he confessed one of the biggest sins of his life before passing away.

He claimed to be responsible for the death of three men in Arizona. Apparently, Charles and a friend were returning to their cabin after a day of working their claim only to be surprised by three strangers ransacking their house.

They shot the three men and buried them on the spot.

Fearing repercussion from the law, Charles fled Arizona, changed his name, and moved to the secluded region in the Western San Gabriel Mountains where he lived out the rest of his life.

He was laid to rest in the veteran’s cemetery in Westwood, CA.

FAQs

Is The Big Horn Mine Haunted?

The appalling history and backstory of the man behind the Big Horn Mine have led people to believe the place is haunted.

Some visitors have mentioned hearing voices or growls within the tunnels and experiencing chills in certain areas.

Can You Go Inside The Big Horn Mine?

It is still possible to venture inside the Big Horn Mine.

Why Was The Big Horn Mine Abandoned?

The Big Horn Mine was abandoned because, like most mines in Southern California, it became unprofitable to run operations.

How Long Is The Big Horn Mine Trail?

The Big Horn Mine Trail is a roundtrip total of 3.84 miles.

Is There Still Gold In The Big Horn Mine?

Extensive testing has revealed that large quantities of gold are still present in the hard rock of the Big Horn Mine.

Has Anyone Died In The Big Horn Mine?

There are no recorded deaths in rhe Big Hon Mine.

What Was Mined At The Big Horn Mine?

3701 ounces of gold old was primarily mined at the Big Horn Mine, but also 2430 ounces of silver, 1357 ounces of copper, and lead.

How Deep Is The Big Horn Mine?

The Big Horn Mine is roughly 300 feet deep and contains about 2 miles of underground passageways.

Dawn Mine Trail: Hike to an Abandoned Gold Mine from 1895 (Closed)

Total Miles: 4.66
Time: 2.5 – 3 Hrs
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Season: All Year
Elevation Gain: 1175 ft
Max Elevation: 3156 ft
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Parking Lot: Fits ≈ 10 cars
Dogs: Allowed On A Leash
Restrooms: Not Available
Trail Popularity: High

Want to explore an abandoned gold mine deep in the canyons of the San Gabriel Mountains? If so, I have just the perfect trail for you.

The Dawn Mine Trail via Sunset Ridge is a 4.66-mile round trip hike to a mine near the city of Altadena, California. It’s a heavily trafficked, moderate trail that begins on a paved road but quickly converts to a dirt trail which leads hikers to the scenic canyon floor.

Dawn Mine Trail Map

Download Printable PDF Map

Directions and Parking

Click the link to be redirected to the Dawn Mine Trailhead via Google Maps: 34.214819, -118.147778

If you can’t find parking at the trailhead (pictured below), you can park at the Millard Campground Parking Lot and hike up an additional 0.7 miles via the Sunset Ridge Trail to get to the Dawn Mine Trail. Details can be found on the map.

Helpful Links

Weather Forecast

SoCal Adventure Pass (required to park in SoCal mountains)

Looking for other fun LA County hikes? Check these out!

Hiking The Dawn Mine

I walked past the white gate, and made my way up the Mt Lowe Rd.

The sun was shining bright above my head, and it felt very warm. I could tell this part is unpleasant during the sizzling summer months. Be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat!

While still on Mt Lowe Rd, I reached a fork where the Sunset Ridge begins once again after being cut off by the Mt Lowe Rd, and headed left.

Walking along the Sunset Ridge trail is nice since it was mostly shaded. I could hear Millard Falls flowing and people’s voices echoing throughout the canyon.

After walking over a very interesting iron bridge and passing old cabins, I had reached the canyon floor. From here, I had to cross the creek to continue. Some sturdy trekking poles are recommended, but not necessary for creek crossings along this trail.

I can see why this trail can get a little confusing for someone who has never been here but keep a lookout for any signs like the one below.

There’s a fun wooden bridge to walk on. I spotted old steel remnants scattered about this trail, like the one on the left of this bridge.

After carefully crossing through the stream a few times and climbing over big boulders, I was getting closer to the mine.

I came across another junction. The left side leads down, then ascends up to the mine. The right side requires more work, climbing up the rocky stairs. It also takes a little longer than the left route.

This old water pump system is a very popular photo spot before getting a look into the Dawn Mine itself.

It’s well over a century old!

Behind the rocks, you can see where people used to access the inside of the mine. Since June 2017, it’s been boarded up by this metal gate…never to be accessed again.

The tunnel above this one, which is pretty risky to climb to, is sadly boarded up as well. That one has a 20-foot shaft, which you wouldn’t want to fall into.

I flashed my light through the darkness and got a peek inside this small and narrow tunnel.

Although inaccessible, it’s still really awesome to see!

It’s interesting to imagine how they used to perilously and bravely walk through these tunnels, over a century ago, in search of precious gold.

These miners risked their lives for riches and in dreams of better lives. Now, the Dawn Mine sits cold and untouched.

Is there still gold in this mine? Possibly, but now we’ll never be able to find out for ourselves.

BONUS: Open Tunnel Upstream

There’s an exploratory dig further up the creek which you can enter and explore. It’s only about 50 feet long but worth the extra trek.

To get there, continue up the trail. When you spot the sign in the image below, take the “Tom Sloane Saddle” path.

About 5 to 10 minutes later, you’ll see the portal on the left side of the trail.

It goes in less than 50 feet. At the end of this tunnel, you’ll see a wall of slimy, icicle-looking stalactites, called calcium carbonate deposits.

Although it’s interesting to peer through the Dawn Mine portal, it’s not as exciting as venturing inside.

Dawn Mine History

Back in 1985, a man by the name of Bradford Peck staked his mining claim above Millard Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains. He worked at it for about 7 years, which was barely successful.

Later, in 1902, the ownership of the mine was transferred to a very experienced Australian miner by the name of Michael T. Ryan.

Ryan took the operation further and went tunneled deep inside the Millard Canyon walls. He was bringing in some profit for about seven years, but then reached a problem. It was becoming more and more difficult to transfer the ore down the canyon.

He ended up building a steep trail for his mules, Jack and Jill. These hard-working mules would carry the ore up to the Dawn Mine Station. From here, the ore traveled via railway down to the valley for further processing.

Sadly, in 1929, Ryan’s death approached. The mine sat still for some years. A few years later, other miners would try their look in search of hitting it big.

But, the Dawn Mine was ultimately a cycle of hopeful miners, some success, and then official abandonment by 1954.

Over the years, curious adventurers would crawl through the lower tunnel and explore the inside. They would find 55-foot deep water shafts, along with small exploratory inlets.

Other, more experienced adventurers, would carefully climb up to the upper tunnel and carefully walk around the 20-foot deep shaft that is located right by the entrance.

Now, it’s closed for entry. But, it’s still an interesting and fun hike to venture to in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Fun Fact

Funny enough, the Dawn Mine isn’t named after any of the owners or men who worked there. It was actually named after Peck’s friend’s daughter, who was from another mining company. Her name was Dawn Ehrenfeld.

Las Flores Canyon: Trail to 5 Secret Mines in Haunted Forest

Distance

2.1 Miles

Time

~1.5 Hrs

Difficulty

Moderate

Season

All Year

Elevation Gain

620 Ft

Las Flores Canyon trail is a 2.1 mile, roundtrip, hike near Altadena, California that leads to 10 secret mines. This short, 1.5-hour trail is rated as moderately difficult due to narrow and steep paths. The elevation gain of this trail is 630 feet. Dogs are not recommended on this trail.

Want to explore the best hikes in the Pasadena? Check out the link below!

Best Hikes in Pasadena

I just have one favor to ask. Please do not tag or name this place on social media, as that is the precursor to tons of trash and graffiti. Thank you and enjoy!

Map of Las Flores Canyon Trail

Directions and Parking

Here are clickable directions to the Cobb Estate Address: 3302 Lake Ave, Altadena, CA 91001

I parked along the street near the entrance. Keep in mind that this place is popular, so parking right by the entrance might be limited. However, you can park in the nearby neighborhoods as well.

More LA hikes to check out!

The Hike Begins

The hike starts off beyond the tall gates.

From here, I walked down the old and deteriorated paved road.

Passing the side road that leads up to Echo Mountain, I continued on the slightly steep path towards the now-graffitied ruins of what was the grand Cobb Estate. But, a little more information on the haunted estate later.

Unfortunately, the popularity and accessibility of this hike have led to vandalism.

I could only imagine how this place looked many decades ago when the mansion was still standing strong.

A quick view up, I could see the ant-sized humans trekking their way towards Echo Mountain on a very sunny Sunday afternoon.

Continuing on the cracked pavement, I had spotted a deer crossing the road! Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a good picture. Elated by the sight, I happily resumed the walk.

Las Flores Canyon Trailhead

Walking along the dirt road I came towards a fenced building.

The dirt road splits into two, and the trailhead to Las Flores Canyon Trail begins on the right-hand side, off-trail from the main dirt road.

I spotted this rickety water pipeline and continued on the right side, which leads down the path.

Now, I do consider this trail to be somewhat tricky and challenging for beginners. The reason being is that there are some very narrow pathways, such as the one below.

An accidental slip with the non-grip shoes or wrong-footing could lead you plummeting down the steep hill.

There were a few other tricky parts on the trail where I had to carefully walk through narrow footpaths. Be sure to take your time, there’s no rush getting to these lesser-known mines.

Mine #1 – Buckley Mine

The Buckley Mine is the first small mine that I spotted. It only goes in less than 15 feet. It was considered an exploratory mine and only operated from 1893 to 1894- very short-lived.

Mine #2 – Unidentified

Further down, I came across another mine/tunnel. For now, I’ll just call it the unidentified mine #1. I found this one located across from the dirt path I was on. You’ll see it, trust me. Feel free to peek inside if you’re curious!

Mine #3 – McNally Mine

The third mine I spotted was the McNally Mine. It was originally a gold mine but was then converted to a water tunnel. Its years of operation for gold were also from 1893 to 1894. It goes in about 315 feet or more.

About 43 feet in, the tunnel becomes really narrow. Probably too narrow for any adult to fit through. Sigh.

Mine #4 – Unidentified

Along the way, I spotted this other mine to the left of me. I’ll call this one the unidentified mine #2. It was a bit too small and narrow for me to comfortably fit through.

Unfortunately, I don’t know the story behind this one.

If you have any information, feel free to shoot me an email!

That was the last mine/tunnel I came across before getting to the main one.

Getting closer to the bigger mine, there’s a small waterfall. A nice little treat that I didn’t expect!

There was a bit more water flowing than what the picture shows.

I then came across what could potentially be a waterfall. After heavy rainfall, I could see it having a nice little flow or trickles of water.

Mine #5 – The Main Mine

After climbing over some trees and steps, ascending down from the steep dirt trail, and then ascending up a rocky pebbled pathway, I finally came to Tunnel #4.

This mine, like the rest, only operated from 1893 to 1894 as a gold mine and now goes in about 100 feet. It’s definitely the most interesting and fun mine out of the five.

Something interesting about this mine is that there are tons of cave pearls. They resemble actual pearls but are much rougher in appearance.

Surprisingly, this mine has way more than what is normally found in mines or caves.

Las Flores Mine

One of my favorite shots was from inside of the cave looking out.

To the left of the mine is this portal entrance. I’ve gone inside before and crouched my way through until the tunnel’s ceilings got higher. I mostly had to walk through shin-deep water for a quarter of the first section.

I decided not to venture inside this time because it was radiating heat. It felt like a sauna, which was weird because it didn’t feel that way the first time.

Who knew Las Flores Canyon was home to multiple historic gold mines that you can still see and venture inside of today.

I definitely recommend this short, yet challenging trail if you’re looking to avoid the crowds.

History of Las Flores Canyon

Las Flores Canyon Mines

The mountains and canyons above Pasadena caught the attention of many prospectors during the Gold Rush.

Las Flores Canyon was a hot spot for mining operations, especially during 1893-1894. A man by the name of William Twaddell formed a mining company, staking out multiple claims here. Some of these were named the Golden Star, Monitor, and Bald Eagle.

Because of the water shortage at the time, they couldn’t afford to construct or finish a lot of these mines, which explains why these mines are so short.

The Cobb Estate

Known as the “haunted forest’ to many Angelinos, the Cobb Estate is definitely an intriguing place to visit.

Charles H. Cobb and his wife Carrie built their Spanish-style estate back in 1918. The home was lavish, elegant, and modern with its imported hardwood floors and exotic outdoor landscape. The house was one of the only homes to have air-conditioning, which was unheard of at the time.

Cobb lived at the estate until his demise in 1939. His home was then deeded to the Pasadena FreeMasons. Later, in 1959, the Brothers Marx had the home torn down.

Why does it get the nickname “haunted forest”? Well, it’s been said that Cobb’s spirit still roams the area. Another rumor that circulates is that the Brothers Marx haunt the place.

Allegedly, visitors have heard unidentified screams and feel as though they’re being followed.

But, who knows whether that’s true or not.

Body Found near Cobb Estate

To add to the creepiness, a woman was found dead near the Cobb Estate back in 2019.

Visitors had mentioned a foul smell coming from the tent. Sadly, police discovered it was a deceased body that had been there for some time. No one knows what happened to that poor woman.

Stonewall Peak: Breathtaking Panoramic Views

Distance

3.9 Miles

Time

~2 Hrs

Difficulty

Easy

Season

All Year

Elevation Gain

830 Ft

Stonewall Peak is a 3.9 mile, roundtrip, hike in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park near Julian, California. It has a total elevation of 5,730 feet, with an elevation gain of 830 feet, and takes 2 hours to hike. Stonewall Peak is currently open from 9 AM to 8 PM. Parking is $10 at Paso Picacho Campground. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.

Stonewall Peak Trail Map

Stonewall Peak Directions and Parking

Here are directions to Stonewall Peak: Stonewall Peak Trailhead, Stonewall Peak Trail, Julian, CA 92036.

Tip: If you make the mistake of leaving in the afternoon, you can avoid some of the bumper-to-bumper traffic along the I-5 S freeway by hopping on Highway 78 (just before Carlsbad), then taking the 15 freeway, and so on. If you have a GPS, it should reroute you once on this freeway.

Parking is $10 at Paso Picacho Picnic and Campground.

Other San Diego hikes we recommend!

Hike to Stonewall Peak Begins

The trailhead is right across the road from the parking lot. There are a few signs on this trail that tell you where to go.

As I was ascending the trail, I got a glimpse of Stonewall Peak. It looks far, but only takes about 2 miles to get to the top.

A little past 4 PM and the snow was beginning to melt from both the sun and early birds who hiked the trail before me.

I highly recommend waterproof shoes with grip for the icy and slushy parts of this hike.

The sunlight came and went, illuminating the snowy path beautifully.

Along the trail, I could see Lake Cuyamaca from a distance (in case you’re wondering, this lake is manmade).

I noticed the dark clouds beginning to roll in.

The trail was quickly enveloped by a dense, foggy mist. It gave the trail a mysterious and eerie look, especially since we were the only ones there.

Throughout the trail, there are many switchbacks with fascinating views of the snowy footpath.

The wooden fences, snow-covered ground, and red-colored boulders made me forget I was in San Diego!

A little over halfway to the peak, I spotted a bit of sunlight peeking through again. This was one of my favorite sights before getting to the top. The archway of trees and stone steps looked like something out of a movie.

After walking almost 2 miles through cold and wet snowmelt, I could see the stairs that led to the peak.

The hazy gray sky made me feel as though I was walking into the unknown.

Here’s an awesome shot of the final steps to the top.

Once at the peak, the clouds were quickly moving in and out. I got to see the snow-covered valley below. I can imagine it looks just as amazing on a day with clear, blue skies.

The clouds made this scene look epic, especially since the sun was beginning to set.

Once the haze covered everything in sight, it was time to head back down the mountain.

Descending the trail, I turned to view this amazing sunset. The clouds had parted, just in time to watch it go down.

I wouldn’t have thought San Diego has such a fun and easy winter snow hike. I highly recommend it after a snowfall, as long as you bring the right gear!

History of Stonewall Peak

How Stonewall Peak Got its Name

I first made a wild guess and thought it was named after the stones along the mountain and trail. Seems like it makes perfect sense, right?

It’s actually named after a gold mine, located on its northeast slope. Originally called the Stonewall Jackson Mine, it was later changed to Stonewall Mine after the Civil War.

Here’s a little background on Stonewall Mine.

In the town of Julian, within San Diego County, prospectors came to the area in search of gold. The city grew as miners began working and exploring here. In 1870, gold was discovered further south of Julian. Then, the Stonewall Mine began operating.

Surprisingly, this mining operation was booming! It soon became the most profitable mining operation in the entire county, bringing in more than 2 million dollars of gold.

Because of the influx of miners and people to the Cuyamaca mountains, there was a need for a better water source. Lake Cuyamaca was then constructed, which brought water to not only the miners and their families, but San Diego city as well.

In 1933, the mine was bought by Ralph Dyar and operations ceased. Although the mine has been filled in, you can still see the remnants of the mine and the nearby city.