Peak 89 - Mine Peak - A short scramble past an old dolomite mine
Mine Peak
Elevation: 1,850’
Mileage: ~1.8
Trailhead: Turnout along Dolomite Mine Road, just below the mine
Agency: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Date Hiked: 12/16/2020
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12/16/2020
After summiting Red Hill across the valley, it was time to see how far my car could get up the rough dirt road (West Dolomite Mine Road) leading toward the old dolomite mine below Mine Peak.
I managed to get up to a cleared area below the mine. There were some ruins of a structure and some sort of plumbing. The road appeared to get worse up ahead, so I decided I could hike the extra few hundred feet to the mine itself. I had the place to myself.
The day had warmed up a little bit after my first hike, but I knew I didn’t have far to go. On foot, I followed the old mine road to the right of the mine, where it switched back up the hill.
The road quickly deteriorates and the trail branches to the right near here
The rocks here were completely different than the dark lava rock across the valley.
On the way up, must have missed some subtle cues to follow a slight rise to the right, as on the way down, I saw some cairns here and there that led to a mostly reasonable slope back to the road. It was still pretty scrambly, as I call it.
My car at Mine Peak Trailhead, Red Hill in the distance
I scrambled directly up a loose hill through a band of rocks until I could see a faint use trail leading upward. It was pretty steep and loose to the point where I wondered how many people make it up here.
I knew the peak was up somewhere to the left, but there was a big wash in between me and the top. I continued upward, finding the trail easier to follow as I ascended.
Mine Peak is the dark spot to the rear
I followed an easy ridgeline, until I knew the peak was somewhere to the left (northeast). I turned left at the head of the wash from below and crossed a shoulder across, ascending another rise.
This rise dipped down to a pleasant flat sandy area, suitable for a tent or two. I hiked to the back of the trough and headed up the other side. From there, it was a slight rise to the top of Mine Peak.
Drop into this sandy trough and head up the other side
That last climb to the top of the peak was a pleasant stroll through the brush and rocks and, before long, I stood atop Mine Peak, a metal pole being held up by a large rock pile.
I sat on a large flat stone in the pale sunlight and had my lunch. I enjoyed the silence and could see a small rectangle where someone had cleared some rocks for a tent or cowboy camping. It would be a wonderful place to sleep. Knowing I had a long drive back home and an interesting ride along the dirt road, I headed back down.
I was glad to have trekking poles on some of the sketchier parts and found a better trail on the way down, leading to the fading road.
On the way back to the highway, the road was rough enough to put one of my wheels in the air. I was happy to have a capable AWD system and a decent amount of clearance.
Panoramic view of the Corrizo Badlands from Mine Peak
Mine Peak Trail Map (Click to enlarge)
