EISPIRATEN

I haven't done much in the Upper Big Tujunga area. I've been helping restore the Alder Creek Trail, and some of us hiked the Strawberry Trail out of Colby Bridge. But that's pretty much been it. So on Tuesday I took Cecelia to explore Lynx Gulch.

My planning consisted of checking CalTopo and noticing that the fire road leads to an old trail that leads to Gold Bar Mine.
I then checked aerial imagery which showed a good road. The trail, however, looked overgrown but maybe manageable. Being curious, I wanted to see if we could reach the mine.

The 4N18.2 road gate was unlocked, so we were able to drive to the Gold Bar Mine Trailhead, which is only 1.2 miles from Upper Big Tujunga Road.
The trail is unsigned and overgrown. Its condition progressively deteriorates, to the point of being completely covered with brush or washed away. Ultimately we lost the trail and simply scrambled along the west bank of the gulch, pushing through moderate to heavy brush, trying to follow animal tracks.
We were about halfway to the mine before giving up. This was only a casual exploration and we weren't ready for full-on brush warfare. I only had a hand saw for thick stuff and was breaking small branches by hand. Once the trail disappeared, I figured we would need a more committed and prepared effort to bushwhack the remaining distance of a half-mile or more.
The gulch looks like it narrows considerably and becomes a bashfest along the water course. One should probably wait until winter storms clear out the creekbed, then try it.

Also, I don't even know if the mine is accessible. Has anyone tried this before?

I have been about 450' above the mine's location on Iron Mountain's north ridge - your last picture - which is an easy stroll from Monte Cristo campground. I posted a question about the Dora May claim marker I saw on this ridge and @Terry Morse prompted me to find a few links. No worky any more so use the way back machine to find the info he linked to.

http://www.lagoldmines.com/index.php?page=557265.txt

http://www.millsite.com/

http://www.ibiadecisions.com/Ibla/Iblad ... BLA375.pdf

edit to add:

Dora May Claim: https://thediggings.com/mines/camc21381

Gold Bar Mine: https://thediggings.com/mines/20521

Also a picture looking up Lynx Gulch from the ridge to the east...

Iron #3 in center, Rabbit on right in the distance...

That day in September after we all did Rabbit, myself, Dima and Jeko were at a tunnel entrance (forget the more technical term) after coming down Roundtop, on that ridge between Iron #3. I think thats what HikeUp is referring to, and I assume is part of the Gold Bar Mine. But haven't been down in Lynx Gulch.

Hmm...the thing is that place has a nice view of Strawberry. I went there say in 2006...way before the mgmt was given to Socal Edison.
Btw, where do you park for this Alder Creek trail, cause its a lot of no stopping signs. Because....well, of that situation..ahem.

I just meandered around brush. Its more recovered now, thanks to Socal Edison plantings. There are a couple routes on the eastern end I am eyeing....one they let go...but it shouldnt have been argh. The other is a station firebreak on Vetter.

AW~ wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2025 10:16 am Btw, where do you park for this Alder Creek trail, cause its a lot of no stopping signs.

Those signs stop about 1/4 mile east of Alder Creek crossing, a big dirt turnout on the north sife of the road.

Nate U wrote: Wed Jan 01, 2025 7:42 pm That day in September after we all did Rabbit, myself, Dima and Jeko were at a tunnel entrance (forget the more technical term) after coming down Roundtop, on that ridge between Iron #3.

There's something labeled "Prospect" on the map in that area.

AW~ wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2025 10:16 am Btw, where do you park for this Alder Creek trail, cause its a lot of no stopping signs.

We ignore the signs and park in the turnout at Alder Creek. So far, so good, though we do display special permits for trail crew. I kind of doubt you'll get ticketed if you're in a turnout. PM me for another option.