Dog friendly adventure! Beautiful views and a cool drive up highway 2 to kickstart the whole journey! Husband and I even saw a flock of bighorn sheep! Definitely add this to your Southern California hiking list! read more

Big Horn Mine - We almost turned back and missed this because we couldn't see it through the clouds! - Hiking Near Me

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FUN EASY HIKE! All you need is good sturdy shoes, sunblock, water, and some snacks! It took us around one hour to get to the mine. Slight incline, nothing too strenuous. You are in and out of the sun throughout the hike which I personally like. Once you get to the mine the view is breathtaking. We grabbed lunch and killed a good hour eating, taking pictures, and enjoying the view. We decided to venture into the mine! We had a head lamp which was extremely helpful. Someone was kind enough to tie a piece of rope from the entrance of the mine to someplace inside. I was a bit scared so I didn't make it to where the string ended. If I could give this hike 100 stars I would. GO DO IT. read more

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Easy Hike for experienced hiker, Easy/Moderate for beginners due to rocky areas Awesome hike tucked away in the mountains. The hike itself is pretty easy, not much altitude gain but the ruins at the end of the hike are a fun place to explore. Breathtaking views! One tip: if you are in the parking lot for Baden-Powell, you are at the correct place for Big Horn Mine. Take the left trail past the road closed barrier. If you keep walking, you will reach the fork in the trail with a sign designating Mine Gulch Trail and Big Horn Mine trail which is about 2 miles from that point. We got very lucky and spotted some deer along the trail : ) Explore the ruins with caution but enjoy the views and small streams trickling past the trail. read more

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1) Keep your eyes peeled for the sign for the Mine Gulch/Baden Powell Trail Head / Parking Lot area. Get there early as the parking fills up in the afternoon. 2) The trail to Big Horn Mine is on the Mine Gulch Trail behind the white road closed gate. 3) Follow the trail about two miles up and you'll see the entrance to Big Horn Mine. (Note that the entire Mine Gulch Trail is about 4.5 miles up) 4) See a few streams, a very rocky trail, single track trails that look down the mountain, and a few shady spots along the trail. 5) Bring headlamps/flashlights if you plan on exploring the mine. read more

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Need to know: * Around 4 miles out and back. * Adventure Pass needed for parking - you can buy yours at the visitors center or Big 5 beforehand. * Easy/moderate hike - I saw children and chihuahuas doing just fine! * This is a popular hike, so the earlier the better. * You can no longer go INSIDE the mine - officially (the Rangers say you can be arrested/fined but I know TONS of people go in anyways. It's super dangerous, pitch black, with miles and miles and layers and layers, and it's prone to cave-ins, so it's up to you!) The mine itself will give you some of the best views and photo ops, so take time and enjoy and take plenty of silhouette shots!! read more

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-Hiked 11/15/16 The mine seems to stretch on forever in many directions! Hiking to the mine without snow and early in the morning was a pleasant 2mile stretch with beautiful views off to your left. Exploring the actual mine was mesmerizing, excited at each turn to see if you hit a dead end or another fork in the road. We only spent an hour in the actual mine due to time constraints but will definitely be returning for another go! You will need a decent flashlights to ensure you're taking in all there is to see, a cellphone flash or smaller flashlight might be able to let you see where your next step will be but not much help apart from that. The two miles back to the parking lot is mainly downhill and thus less tiring than the hike up to the mine. This was a great little hike I will be returning to for another chance to explore the mine! read more

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Bring a flashlight! This is gunna be one dark but awesome hike! We actually got lost on the way to the trail (lol), GPS took us a different route but we somehow made it up to Mt. High, made a right into the trailhead parking lot called Vincent Gap. Lots of parking, but you need an Adventure Pass. We bought ours at a gas station nearby before we went into Angeles National forest. I think I paid $5. Pass the big white gate to start the trail, you'll hit a fork where it splits. Follow the trail to the right that says "Big Horn Mine" (duh lol). The trail consists of a lot of gravel and loose rocks so be careful. Some parts youll have to carefully traverse around where the trail becomes thin but not for very long. The incline is gradual so the hike itself isn't very difficult. We saw a few families with their kids on the trail. Once you get to the end, there's the mine. very cool to explore! there's a small cave before you get to the mine, this isn't the main cave that everyone talks about. once you're done exploring the mine, climb upward into the caves. the caves are awesome to explore BUT BE CAREFUL! they go on forever and are extremely dark, they break off into twists and turns so don't get lost! otherwise it's fun! read more

This is a really beautiful hike! Try to go early since the sun might make this hike a little difficult but overall this is an easy to moderate hike. Getting to the trail you would need to park and its 5 dollars to get the adventure pass. We didn't need it since my gf and I have the year round "America the Beautiful" national park pass. Which works for national Forrest fees such as this one. I highly recommend it if you are an outdoor person. Anywho, the trail it self is very scenic and once you get to the abandoned mine, the views are really amazing. Of course take pictures and becareful when you climb up further to the mine shaft. There are multiple metal beams sticking out and you might get cut from rusted metal. So be very careful! Enjoy this hike, it is now one of my favorite. read more

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This hike is amazing! Did it twice now, once in the snow and once while it was dry. The entire trail is very clear and there is no way to get lost. It is also just a short 2 miles to the mine. Once at the mine it's very easy to slide in and out of the bars and is very dark and wet no matter the season. So always bring a decent flashlight or a headlamp. We used a 1000 lumen Duracell flashlight which worked perfect. If you want to explore the entire mine, including crawling through the collapsed areas, plan on spending 3 hours in there. I posted an hour long video on YouTube of most of the mine here: https://youtu.be/sz8BCJASleU Skip to about 2mins in, otherwise it's just messing around with glow sticks in a dark place... read more

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This is probably one of my favorite hikes in Southern California (and I am always trying new trails). The hike is 4 miles round trip. When you are hiking to the abandoned mine you feel like you're scaling the mountain side. Some areas are a bit more dangerous than others so don't do something stupid because it is pretty much straight down if you fall. The whole hike, you have AMAZING views of the mountains and it is so clear and quiet up there (around 7000ft), it was such a nice escape from LA and the smog. When we got to the mine, we explored around a bit. Again, I would't try anything too daring here. You are miles away from anyone saving you. The building just takes you back to the 1890s, kind of Hell On Wheels feel to it. There are even gun shot holes on some of the beams so it's really cool to just imagine the history to this place. When we got there, it was around 10:40am and there was only 1 other group on the trail so we really got to enjoy the peacefulness of the surroundings. When we were walking back we saw 4 other groups just starting their hike, so I'd recommend starting a little earlier. All in all, I will definitely be returning to this hike. It was well worth the 50 mile drive up and into the mountains from LA. read more

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*3/26/16: The mine has caved in, and you're only able to explore about 1/4 of a mile in the mine (at most) until you're forced to turn back. Still fun to bring friends in the cave if they've never been before, just make sure everyone has some sort of light (besides their cell phones). This is my third time doing this hike and it's always a beautiful experience, but it has definitely seemed like the recent storms we had earlier this year took a toll on this trail. The wash outs have doubled since my last visit in the Fall, and tripled since last January. So make sure you're being careful when crossing. Wouldn't want anyone and their fur babies to get hurt! Also, don't forget to wear your hiking shoes! Friendly reminder to not have your kids drink from the water that comes from the mine. You think it's coming from a clean water source, but it's definitely not and I hope the kids that were drinking it this past weekend don't end up sick. Miles: 4.5 - 5 miles Parking: Lot, but most likely to fill up by noon. Bring adventure pass. Directions: 15N to the 138W to the 2W. You won't be able to miss the parking lot location since it's actually at a dead end, kinda. There is a gate blocking the other side of the road. You can also hike part of the PCT while parking at this lot too. Woo. Enjoy and stay safe! read more

Big Horn Mine - Still some snow on the top of the mountain! This is what the parking lot looked like at noon. - Hiking Near Me

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My hiking buddy and I have been looking for a trail like this, mountains, amazing vistas, wilderness etc. and boy did we find it. We got there early and the trail was covered in snow due to rain the previous night, which was even better. You may want to bring microspikes in case the conditions are like this. Also, it took us about 2 hours to get there from LA because of multiple road closures from the rain and icy conditions. Definitely check Cal Trans before you go. We had to go around the back way blind because we had no service for map apps. The hike is not too strenuous up to the mine. All in all it was a great hike. The only unfortunate thing was that heavy fog rolled in the second we got to the mine so we didn't get to see much from the mine. But mine diving definitely made up for it. If you go inside the mine make sure you have a headlamp preferably, and a bright one at that, or at least a flashlight with a good amount of lumens. iphone lights won't cut it. Hiking Baden Powell peak next week. read more

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This really is a beautiful place. 1) don't stress out about the parking pass like I did. You can get your pass in Wrightwood at jensen's fine foods (they open at 7am) or the automotive place next to it if you don't want to wait for the visitors center to open at 10. Extra info: at jensen's you can pay $35 for TWO annual adventure passes instead of $30 for one. Better deal. 2) DO NOT go find that stupid cabin. We tried to do that and walked for a mile or so with all them aggressive bugs and could not find the cabin. Then we had to turn back to hike to the mine. I was not gonna go home without seeing this mine. I live near LA and it took 1.5 hrs to get here, SO JUST HIKE TO THE MINE! read more

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We had never been here before and it was confusing to figure out the correct trail in the snow. The signs were NOT helpful. The arrow to Big Horn Mine points up, and with the snow, that appeared to be the main trail. I should have known we were doing something wrong when other reviews said this trail was easy. We went on an incline for over a mile, in some areas in 2-3 feet deep of snow. We came across two other groups on the same trail and didn't make it all the way up. I posted a photo with the sign. Don't go up the hill like the arrow suggests! The arrow points up to the wash out. The easier trail is straight and veering left. www.instagram.com/dbxcakes read more

Big Horn Mine - The arrow points up the wash out. The easier trail is straight and veering left. www.instagram.com/dbxcakes - Hiking Near Me

A new fav, for sure! I wouldn't take children on this one as the trail gets very windy and narrow with cliffs. The views are incredible and the incline is gradual. A good amount of loose rock and soft dirt -- but again -- THE VIEWS . The trail is simple to follow. read more

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Went to big horn mine today! Absolutely beautiful! But then again Wrightwood and everywhere around it is! I had came to the mine gulch trail a week ago but it was washed out I didn't even try to do it, but I came back today and all the washed out parts had been walked on from previous hikers who were brave enough to cross. So there's small trails of where to go now in all the washed out parts of the path I believe there were about four. Just be careful because you are high up and the paths are tiny!! The mine was great there were several people there when we got there and a lot more arrived when we were leaving. Great little workout the trail isn't too inclined but it doesn't have a spot where you go straight up. All in all amazing views and totally worth the hike! Happy safe hikings! read more

Big Horn Mine - My dog made it! She even went in the mine there's a way for dogs to go up underneath all the wood we use to reach the mine. - Hiking Near Me

Want some free candy right outside of a decrepit dark and watery mine shaft? That is just one of the questions that you will be confronted with on this hike. I think you should just go for it. The only bad thing about this hike is that it's a long drive to get to. They do have an extra large parking lot here and a few trailheads. Heck they even have a restroom if you don't want to find a shrub or something just off the trail. The lot requires the standard angeles forest parking pass. Pro Tip: Don't leave your phone or camera in the car. The hike itself is a quick easy 4 miles round trip, in and out. It's mostly set along a gravel and scree covered fire road. The vista's are magnificent and can't be understated.quite simply these are some of the best views the angeles national forest has to offer. Soaring pines give way to chaparral and back again. Pro Tip #2: Bring your flashlight and your headlamp or lantern with an extra set of batteries. The minehead is nestled in the midst of some beautiful trees. The buildings are starting to collapse with time but fairly sturdy considering the lack of upkeep. Then there is the mine shaft. I have yet to go far into it, but plan to return with spelunking style gear and the ever so important light sources. Even without traipsing under and in the mountain, this hike is worthwhile. So if you want to explore something new and different, I highly suggest that you check this place out. WOW! read more

Great 4ish mile hike, fairly easy trail but it can get narrow with steep cliffs so I wouldn't recommend bringing young kids. The mine is awesome, bring lunch and a flashlight so you can explore inside. This trail has a parking lot but it takes an adventure pass to park here. Limited shade. read more

Sure you've heard about the SGV (San Gabriel Valley) in the 626...but have you heard about the adventures that await you in the San Gabriel Mountains? One of my new found loves in life is hiking and exploring the beauty of mother nature. The hike to abandonded Big Horn Mine was relatively easy. We filled our camelbaks with plenty of water, packed up some sandwiches for a lunch with beautiful view and a few flaslights to play some Minecraft in real life. A few notes: --It's important to bring a flashlight for mine exploration --Watch your step, pay attention and don't forget your common sense --Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the moment :) read more

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I LOVED this hike! Challenging at parts, but not at all difficult. You are in higher elevation, which makes you feel tired quicker, but it is worth it! When you arrive to the mine, the views are out of this world. Beautiful! You can also go inside the mine and explore. Be sure to bring flashlights, as you cannot see anything. They have a couple drops too..so if you go in without light, it could be dangerous. Adventure pass required to park. We will be doing this hike again for sure! read more

This is one of the best destination hikes on the north side of the San Gabriels! Good parking at trailhead. Moderate hike in with not much trouble navigating the one larger washout. Lots of trees and shade along the way. Easy hike out mostly downhill. Stay to the right at the initial fork a few hundred yards from trailhead. "Big Horn Mine" is not on any of the signage... This hike is between 3.5 and 4 miles round trip. Mine is at 7000 ft. I read that there is a 1,100 ft vertical gain on the hike in but it did not seem like it. The mine building and mine tunnels were were open for exploration and well worth the uphill hike in. We brought flashlights and were able to walk through several tunnels. These tunnels are hundreds of feet long, branch off, sometime interconnect, with numerous sealed entrances. Just be careful! Lots of CA history here. We will definitely do this hike again! read more

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This hike was great however, if you are not an experienced hiker this can easily turn from an easy/moderate hike into an intense/difficult one. Make sure to bring enough water and be prepare to experiment some inclines and declines, which also keeps the trail challenging and fun. The views along the way are amazing and the breeze was great today. No shade most of the way so wear a hat or come early in the morning. A good pair of hiking shoes is advised as there are lots of rocks. You have made it more than half way there once you pass the first "mine" and water stream. Prepare to enjoy the views, have a snack, and take break. read more

Big Horn Mine - What a great way to enjoy my holiday weekend. - Hiking Near Me

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Very easy trail to the coal mine. We took a rock trail that took much longer than expected, but great workout and fun caves to explore. read more

Big Horn Mine - Hiking Near Me

A short hike, easy to follow trail! Kid and dog friendly. Arrive early for parking. Parking is limited read more

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Spectacular views, fairly easy trail, 2 miles long. We didn't make it to the mine because my 2 girls didn't want to continue cause of course we are not experienced hikers. I do however want to finish so we will be back. We went up the trail around 7:20am with no one else in sight but when we were coming down around 9a people were starting to go up the mountain, be there early & beat the heat & crowds. I don't know how safe it is for kids since we found 2 rattle snakes crossing the path on different occasions. Also the path had really narrow sections. If you take kids do not let them wander around. Overall I took some great photos, loved the views. read more

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Great hike a little cold now (January ) but the views are amazing dog are welcome , kids friendly too

This was such a lovely hike with such nice views even though it was hard to find. I went on July 1st, 2017 and the road was still blocked it made this hike really long since we had to park 9 miles always from the parking lot plus we got lost in the beginning. Just stay on the road and you will find the actually hiking trails. I parked at grassy Hollos and walked all the way down to the hiking trail Bring LOTS of water and sunscreen since it does get hot. I'm glad I have this hike checked off on my list. I would recommend it to everybody plus its dog friendly! :) read more

To get here: you are going to want to continue on the 2 past Wrightwood towards Inspiration point. Keep driving pass the Grassy Hollow Visitors Center. Continue down and park at the Vincent Gap Parking (this is also where you will see a sign for Pacific Crest Trail). The trail for the mine is Mine Gulch Trail. The distance round trip is 4 miles; however, I found it to be more challenging than the usual 4 mile hike. I believe I can thank the snow and possibly the altitude for this. If you plan on going during the winter months just allow yourself a little extra time. With that said, hiking in the snow was a really fun experience and only added to the beauty of this place. I look forward to many more treks in the snow. I wasn't feeling extremely adventurous by the time I made it up to the mine so I did not do much exploring. But the sight of the mine and views of the mountains made the trip worth while. This one is definitely worth the drive. I can't wait to come back and try to explore the mines a little more. read more

Big Horn Mine is easily in my favorite hike that I've ever encountered in Southern California. I have literally been every where in Southern California and to me, nothing beats exploring a historical mine shaft. Also, how can you beat a killer view of the snowy mountain tops on your way to an underground river and lake/pond? Amazing. As of 3/25/2014, the mine is blocked off in all locations but one. When you arrive to the mines, you will notice the building itself, but to the right of the building there are two large pipes protruding out from the ground. From a distance, they looked barred up, but if you walk over to them and look for the opening, you won't be able to miss it. Congratulations, you're in. ***CAUTION*** *Avoid raising your voice, running, or hitting walls or stepping around carelessly. These can all cause cave-ins.* Please prepare yourself for this hike. This is not your average hike. A cave-in here is very possible and not to be underestimated. Bring more water and food than you normally would consider taking, along with headlamps, flashlights and extra batteries. Also inform someone who will not being joining you with information on where you're going, when you expect to be back, etc. Cave rescues are not fun for anyone and they happen more than you think. This is why they bar up these mines. Some other items that I would recommend taking if you plan on going deep in to the mines: ~ A JACKET! It gets cold in here people! The draft will kick your ass. ~ Waterproof shoes or boots during the Winter/Spring. ~ A mask for the dust and fumes in certain parts of the cave. (You'll smell it when you're in the rooms.) ~ Glow sticks in the event that your batteries die out for your flashlights/headlamps. read more

Perfect trail for perfect views! It was and easy hike, about 4 miles round trip! Dog friendly(took my pup ) you'll need an adventure pass for the parking ! (: read more

Big Horn Mine - Hiking Near Me

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Let me start off by saying this is normally a 4 mile hike. As of July 4th 2017 Angeles Crest Hwy is still closed before the trailhead starts due to a sinkhole. I spoke with a ranger and was told it is "supposedly" not due to be open again till the end of summer. Expect a minimum of 8 miles to complete the rather simple hike. However, as you can see from the picture attached the view is most definitely worth it. If you do plan on hiking to Big Horn Mine before Angeles Crest Hwy is reopened I do suggest starting early due to the heat. If you plan on bringing along the pup(s) PLEASE make sure to pick up after them. There are few places nowadays dogs are still allowed. Whether it be 8 miles or 4 miles I definitely recommend this hike. read more

Big Horn Mine - Big Horn Mine 07/04/17 - Hiking Near Me

Love the Big Horn mine hike! I wish they would put cameras in the parking lot. Someone smashed my window and stole all our purses and valuables. Learn from my experience, leave all valuables at home. Just go ahead and leave your door unlocked so your window doesn't get smashed. Great hike tho! Fairly easy trail, good for all ages. read more

Great hike although it has been a bit ruined by people coming and spray painting all over rocks and other stuff. Still worth the hike though and a fun mine to explore. read more

Ive been hiking for about a year now. This hike was pretty easy. About 2miles but with an amazing view! I went with a friend and we spent about an hour at the mine just taking in the amazing view. Gps says the road is closed but we were able to drive through. We did get a pass at the gas station which was $5 better then a $200 parking ticket. read more

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Did this hike back in 08. It snowed . It was lit I was walking and having a nice walk as I saw the big horn mine. I glanced at it and I wondered what creature lived in there so I went inside and I was coughing because of the dust that was kicked up by my shoes and I started to breathe shortly and had to cover my mouth and I made it to the end of the mine beneath most of the rocks and I returned outside to breathe fresh air. It was funny doing underground mine exploring. One of my hobbies and I hope to return. read more

Splendid hike steeped in history. One of Southern California's largest gold mines. The stamp mill, primary and annex mine openings remain visible today. The trailhead starts at the beginning of an old wagon road that use to run to the mine. Years of landslides and rain have washed away much of the road, but it is still passable on foot. Wonderful photo opportunity abound. Great views once you reach the mine. Definitely worth the hike before this little piece of history is lost to the ravages of time and weather. read more

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This hike is definitely worth driving the long distance. It's a very short hike to some abandoned mines and spectacular views. You must wear the proper gear for snow. read more

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This is a simple 1.8 mile hike that is mostly downhill. The trail is easily accessible with plenty of parking. There are two nonflush toilets in this location. It's easy to find your way to the mine but be careful of the slippery rocks all along the path. Be ready for an adventure climbing to the mine! I felt frightened crawling through the metal bars into the mine itself. It is completely pitch black with some sun light coming from the two different tunnels, so bring glow sticks, headlamps and flashlights. If you are claustrophobic or afraid of the dark, I would not recommend this place at all! Remember to hydrate and bring plenty of snacks. Enjoy! read more

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At 4 miles round trip, this is a very nice and simple hike. Most of the trail is on a dirt fire road either lined with trees or wonderful views. There are maybe a couple of rocky parts but they aren't that much of an obstacle. The best part of this hike is the Big Horn Mine. Perched on the east face of Mount Baden-Powell, this mine dates back to 1896 when gold was first discovered in a gold-bearing quartz vein. The old stamp mill built by civil-war veteran and fugitive Tom Vincent aka Dougherty is still standing today, however sadly defaced by a good amount of graffiti. The mine itself supposedly has 8,700 feet (1.647 miles) of tunnel that is still accessible. It is very cold and wet inside the mine. Come prepared if you plan on entering the mine, with suitable footwear and sufficient flash lights. read more

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Love this hike! The trail itself is absolutely beautiful. I hike at least one or two days a week and I consider this hike to be in my top 3 favorite I've done. First off you need an adventure pass which you can buy right in the town of Wrightwood at Cinnamon's Bakery, Jensen's, Mountain Hardware or Wrightwood mini mart. The trail parking lot is about 9 miles from the town of Wrightwood. When you see signs for Pacific Crest Trail and Mount Baden-Powell that's where you park and start the "Mine Gulch" trail. It's about 1.8miles of pure beauty to reach the mine. There will be a split in the trail, the right trail will take you to Vincent's Cabin and left will take you to the mine. Once you reach the structure you can climb up to the top and explore inside. I definitely suggest bright flash lights and water proof shoes. It's wet and cold inside but a lot of fun. I took a short YouTube video of my hike to Big Horn Mine, feel free to check it out. YouTube channel "cravethetorture" or use the link below www.youtube.com/user/cravethetorture read more

Big Horn Mine - Mine Gulch Trail - Hiking Near Me

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