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Los Angeles Hikes

Big Horn Mine Trail & Vincent's Cabin

  • 4 miles - Easy Effort
  • 1.5-2 Hours (Total)
  • Can Get Very Busy
  • 700 Total Feet of Climbing
  • Max Elevation of 6,830 feet
  • Leashed Dogs Allowed

The hike to Big Horn Mine is a fun and relatively easy way to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Angeles National Forest without a major effort. The trail to Big Horn Mine winds it's way along the side of a mountain, eventually arriving at the abandoned mine, where you can explore a historic structure from 1895 and grab some iconic photos (with Mt Baldy in the background). I'll also show you how to visit Vincent's Cabin on the way back without much effort.

In this Guide:
  • Where is Big Horn Mine?
  • What to Expect on the Hike
  • Turn-by-turn Hike Directions
  • Big Horn Mine Trail Maps & Video

Where is Big Horn Mine?

Big Horn Mine Parking
Big Horn Mine is in the heart of Angeles National Forest, with the parking area at Vincent Gap off of CA-2.

Use this trailhead address:
Vincent Gap, CA-2, California 93563

You need a parking pass for the trailhead lot. I use the affordable National Parks Pass, which gets me in every park, monument, and national forest. You can also use an (Southern California only) Adventure Pass, or buy a $5 day permit from the ranger’s office.

Big Horn Mine Hike 3
The parking lot is large but on a nice day it can fill up.
Big Horn Mine Hike 2
There are primitive toilets at the Vincent Gap parking area, but no water.

In the winter the road can be closed, so if in doubt, check the park website and/or call the ranger station before leaving.

Gear for the Hike

This is a relatively short hike, and in normal circumstances you shouldn't need any special gear. If you do this in the winter when there is snow and ice, there is one section (more below) that requires extra care. Micro-spikes and trekking poles will help you navigate that icy section if you have experience hiking in the mountains in the winter.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.


Gear Inreach Mini 2
Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.
Gear Hoka Speedgoat 5
HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Big Horn Mine Trail Maps

This hike is straightforward. You hike straight on Big Horn Mine Road (now a trail) until you reach the mine, then return. It's a great way to hike in the mountains without doing a big effort.

Click Here To View

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

Big Horn 3d Map
The hike follows the ridge along the side of Mt Baden-Powell. While there's some gradual up and down, it's not a big mountain climb and is relatively easy.

What You Need To Know About the Hike

Big Horn Mine
The mine has been around for over 100 years and has a colorful history. Here it is in the 1930s.

Stay safe and stay out of the mine. It's easier to just watch the video here.

Big Horn Mine Hike Directions

Big Horn Mine Hike Update 01
Go through the white gate to start hiking on the trail to Big Horn Mine.
Big Horn Mine Hike 7
The trail is wide and descends.
Big Horn Mine Hike Update 02
When you enter the Sheep Mountain Wilderness, bear to the right.
Big Horn Mine Hike 9
The trail widens out to a dirt road through mature pine trees.
Big Horn Mine Wash
The one section that can be a little tricky is this part of the trail which suffers from rockslides occasionally. If it's cold out, there can be black ice on this section. Go slow and carefully here.

If you don't feel safe in that last section, it's okay to turn around. Conditions change as rain, snow, and rock slides affect the trail.

Big Horn Mine Hike 10
The trail widens out after the last section and climbs again.You can see how this was once a dirt road that allowed miners to get back and forth to Big Horn Mine.
Big Horn Mine Hike 11
There's another mine shaft before you get to Big Horn Mine. Keep hiking straight on the path.
Big Horn Mine Hike 12
Here's a closeup of that last mine shaft.
Big Horn Mine Hike 13
Stay to the right as the trail snakes around the curve on the mountain.
Big Horn Mine Hike 14
Soon you'll see Big Horn Mine in the distance.
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The last little stretch to the mine has a little up-and-down across a small stream.
Big Horn Mine Hike 16
You made it! Now wait in line behind the crowds for your picture. If you leave early the crowds are much better (this is at 10am). And another reminder, if you explore around the mine, please do so carefully.
Big Horn Mine Hike 17
To return, just hike back on the same trail. It's as easy as that.

Side Trip to Vincent's Cabin

Vincents Cabin
As long as you're here, why not visit Charles Tom Vincent's cabin?

If you make the left turn at the first intersection or take the small trail in the video, it's only an extra half-mile hike to Vincent's Cabin. You canvisit the peaceful cabin, seeing how Charles Tom Vincent lived life as a mountain man.

Charles Tom Vincent was originally from Ohio and served in the Civil War, eventually taking up mining in Arizona where he and his partner killed three men who were ransacking their shack. He fled to the mountains, making his way here after spending some time in the High Sierras.

Tom Vincent
A rare shot of Charles Tom Vincent with the cabin in the background.

Vincent lived on solitude by choice for forty years, continuing to mine for gold, and selling it once a year in Los Angeles. He was an interesting character. According to an account by his mailman "every afternoon when he came in from work he stripped to the buff and threw a potfull of hot water over his strong, rugged body, regardless of company; so we learned to vamoose. He was strong as an ox, the picture of health, thin and wiry with pink cheeks and snowy white hair. He could and did, walk for miles tracking a deer and he never fired an unnecessary shot. He loathed the city fellers that banged away regardless, when after game." The Wrightwood Historical Society has a great write-up on Vincent and his life. Vincent passed in 1926.

Need More Info?

  • Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
  • When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.