Explore the Desert Queen Mine and Wash
4.9 Miles
672 Feet
Chillin, Running, Hiking, Fitness, Rock Climbing
Beginner
Year Round
Out-and-Back
Desert Queen Mine and Wash is a 4.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Twenty-nine Palms, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November.
This is a great trail and arguably, entering the mines is the coolest part. Bring a headlamp so you can see down tunnels. As you go past the giant boulders on the right, you enter a nice microclimate of cooler air and scrubby oak trees. Don't forget to look up - you'll see lots of erosion on the high rocks. Bring lots of extra water.
The trail runs up along the top of the ridge to the end at a sign overlooking the wash and the mines. Along the trail you can spot the remains of an old house. Follow the trail in front of the house and down into the canyon, into the wash and then up to the mine entrances.
Photo: Simeon Moses
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations.
