PS - Hike: Desert Queen Mine and Elton Mine via Lucky Boy Vista Loop

This is a lesser known hike in the same Pine City, Split/Skull Rock area in the upper elevations of Joshua Tree National Park.  While being surrounded by some of the most magnificent landscape and views in the park, one is also rewarded with two historical sites.

The hike will start with a short trip to the no longer active Queen Mine which was an active mine in the Park until 1961. 

From there we will wind down the Lucky Boy wash into a canyon with large boulders, pinyon pine trees, desert scrub oak and juniper trees.  As we make our way up over the ridge into the upper elevation, the vegetation changes from pinyon pines and desert scrub oaks to Joshua Trees, creosote bushes and Mojave Yuccas.  After a brief visit to the Elton Mine and the lookout on the ridge, we will proceed along the Lucky Boy Loop Trail back to the road and the main parking area.