Mineral Mountain

Mineral Mountain, Tip Top Mountain, photo by Kathy Wing

Mineral Mountain, Tip Top Mountain, Photo by Kathy Wing.

Peak Name

Mineral Mountain

23D

Elevation

7238

feet

Status

active

Region

East Of Big Bear Lake

Range

San Bernardino Mountains

Nearby peaks

Tip Top Mountain, Granite Peaks, Black Mountain #4

Location

34.236674,-116.6814119

Description

Mineral Mountain’s name harkens back the wealth produced in the 1880s by the area’s mining boom. Numerous mines, including the nearby Tip Top Mine, produced lead and silver The peak lies in the Bighorn Mountain Wilderness in the northeast corner of the San Bernardino National Forest. The rocky desert-alpine terrain is studded with Joshua trees and pinyon pines. The peak has splendid views of the mountains to the south and west, and the desert to the east. It is typically hiked in some combination with nearby Tip Top and or Granite Peaks. The roads to the peaks in the area are rough and slow going, and get worse between Tip Top and Mineral.

There are various peak combinations possible; if driving from the Joshua Tree direction one can hike Black Mountain #4 on the way then continue to Mineral and continue to Tip Top on the ridge.

Route 1 ascends from the road to a saddle and then on to the peak by its west ridge. There are various alternative routes possible. One can hike between Tip Top and Mineral along their connecting ridge, avoiding the worst part of the drive.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

300′

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

1.2 miles round trip cross-country

Estimated time

1 hour round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, easy

Leader Rating Required

“I”, normal conditions

Driving route

From Big Bear City, drive northeast on SR 18 about 6 miles to 3N03 (dirt) on the right. Turn right. High clearance recommended on for all dirt roads in this area. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 1.3 miles, fork 3N07Y to the right. Keep straight.
At 3.3 miles and 3.6 miles, forks on the left to Smarts Ranch. Keep straight.
At 5.0 miles, you cross Arrastre Creek.
At 5.1 miles, fork. Go left.
At 5.2 miles, fork. This is the turnoff for Granite Peaks. Keep straight.
At 7.4 miles, fork in a saddle with 2N02 on the right. Keep straight.
At 7.7 miles, fork with 2N90 on the left. This is the turnoff for Tip Top Mountain. Keep straight.
At 9.3 miles, a clearing below the road on the right. Park here.

Hiking route

From the parking area (6800′), hike east up along the slope of a ridge, passing some gullies and mine prospects, and coming into the saddle west-northwest of the peak.
Turn right and continue along the ridge over a minor bump to the summit. The summit is not visible from the parking area.

Route Notes

3N03 is in poor condition east of Arrastre Creek and the turnoff to Granite Peaks. Travel is possible slowly with AWD and a skilled driver, otherwise 4WD is necessary.

Printable Route

Road Type

Dirt

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Additional Peak Information

Special conditions: The dirt roads are seasonal.
Mineral Mountain is in the Bighorn Mountain Wilderness Area, but at this time a permit is not required.
The peak can be hiked from Tip Top Mountain (see current HPS map).