Escape Haven: Big Horn Mine

Situated on the north-eastern side of Mount Baden-Powell, offers some of the most beautiful vistas in the Angeles, for very little effort. The mine is located approximately 2 miles from the Vincent Gulch parking lot.

While some of the old miner trail is washed out, and has been replaced with newer use trails, most of the way is wide and well graded. A couple of smaller rises will challenge an out-of-shape cardiovascular system, but should be little problem for the average hiker. The mine itself is “closed.” At the end of the trail you will see two big round pipes, sealed with slatted metal grates, and a small waterfall flowing down the mountain from the pipes. These lead into the mine, and apparently meet with a tunnel from the mines entrance. In order to get to the mine entrance you will have to climb down a tiny cliff, an up a path the other side. There you will find the old mine building, very much rundown, you will have to climb through the building, and up the rickety timbers to entrance.

CAUTION: (going beyond the entrance is DANGEROUS and ILLEGAL! All observations about the mine are hearsay, as I was not able to get up the timbers, due to vertigo problems.) The brave of heart can try and squish their way through the barrier, an into the mine. The mine is flooded with ankle deep snow run-off. Bring rubber boot if you are exploring, as well as real lantern (head lamps will not illuminate well enough, yes, even LEDs, smart-ass.) According to other hikers, the mine has many tunnels, some of which meet up with the tunnels on the other side of the cliff.