PS - Hike: Lost Horse Loop Trail - Joshua Tree Park

Description:  Lost Horse Loop Trail is a 6.8 mile trail located in Joshua Tree National Park just off the Keys View Road.  The trail follows the remains of the old service road for the mine which is located about 1.5 miles from the trailhead at elevation 4600-5120 feet.  The mine, over 100 years old, is one of the best preserved and most productive mines in Joshua Tree having produced 10,000 ounces of gold and 16,000 ounces of silver between the years of 1894 and 1931. 

Lost Horse Mine was discovered by Johnny Lang while either looking for one of his lost horses or a stolen horse whose tracks took him to the Lost Horse Valley and the camp of Jim McHaney with his gang of cattle rustlers and horse thieves.  After being told he did not lose a horse, Johnny Lang left and on his way back ran into “Dutch” Frank Diebold.  After being shown a piece of ore, Johnny bought the rights to the mine for $1,000 from “Dutch.”  After a number of partners, Johnny was eventually forced to sell his share of the mine after his main partner, J.D. Ryan, hired a detective who caught him stealing.  Johnny didn’t go too far and settled in the next canyon near the mine now named Johnny Long Canyon.  In 1925, Johnny left a note on his cabin door saying he had left for food and bedded down for the night at the entrance to the canyon not too far from the mine.  He died that night and was not found until two months later by Bill Keys, owner of the Keys View Ranch.  After reporting his death to the county coroner, Mr. Keys buried Johnny where he was found near the Keys View Road just at the turn to the Lost Horse Mine parking area. 

• Trail Length: 6.8 miles total
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 882 feet
• Difficulty Rating: moderate strenuous - will generally be challenging for an unconditioned person. The terrain will involve a steady and often steep incline.
• Trail Type: Loop.  
• Hiking Time:  4-5 hours
• Dirt road for 1 mile from Keys View Road to the trailhead parking area
• Departure Time:  8:00 AM (Please arrive early for 8:00 am departure)
• Departure Location: PetSmart / Walmart Supercenter in Palm Springs at 5601 E. Ramon Road, cross street Lawrence Crossley Road; meet at the north/east corner parking lot between 7:45 and 8:00 a.m.  Map click here             
• Fees/Charges:  Joshua Tree National Park entrance fee 

Hiking Requirements:  Although the trail is fairly level, the elevation is at 4600 feet so you will need to be in good physical condition for this hike. Click here for more information.

Carpooling is encouraged and may be available if offered by driver.  You are responsible for arranging your own transportation or ride share. 

Cancel: If you cannot make a hike for which you have registered please cancel as others may be on the waitlist. You may cancel directly from your profile settings or notify the hike leader.

Contact hike leader:  Kirk Olsen

Weather Policy: Inclement weather cancels.