Pine City, Pine Spring, Eagle Cliff, Desert Queen in Joshua Tree National Park, CA

Hike Pine City, Pine Spring, Eagle Cliff, Desert Queen Joshua Tree National Park, CA

Class 3 6.1 miles 1500 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Feb 24, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude
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Route Map
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This is definitely a pretty contrived route to try to hit a few of the points of interest in this area of Joshua Tree National Park. We took the flat and fairly boring hike through open desert on the old mining road to Pine City. After a short visit, we decided to take a random backcountry canyon route back. Our second stop was Pine Canyon Spring, where a spicket was collecting water. We continued north through some boulder-filled canyons and got to a large open bowl, where we ascended to get a nice view down the canyon and into Desert Queen Wash. The wash leads back to the car, but we had more abandonded desert things to see. The route got a bit wonky at this point, where we boulder-hopped for a while in attempt to get to Eagle Cliff Cabin. I couldn't tell you our exact route, but that's definitely the most fun part about this section. After eventually finding the cabin, we followed the established trail to the Desert Queen Mine, and then back to the trailhead just as the sun set.

For better photos of the Eagle Cliff Cabin, check out my other hike write-up for Eagle Cliff Cabin from Split Rock.

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The start of the Pine City Trail.
The start of the Pine City Trail.
Image 1 from gallery
Looking back into flatness.
Looking back into flatness.
Image 3 from gallery
Two-ish miles later, Pine City.
Two-ish miles later, Pine City.
Image 5 from gallery
The random canyon we decided to descend to get to Pine Spring.
The random canyon we decided to descend to get to Pine Spring.
Pine Spring just ahead.
Pine Spring just ahead.
Shawn in the middle of the photo, looking at Pine Spring. We took the obvious canyon just ahead in the photo to continue our route.
Shawn in the middle of the photo, looking at Pine Spring. We took the obvious canyon just ahead in the photo to continue our route.
Pine Spring.
Pine Spring.
Boulders in our choice of canyon.
Boulders in our choice of canyon.
Looking back toward Pine Spring, and the canyon we had descended.
Looking back toward Pine Spring, and the canyon we had descended.
Image 12 from gallery
Image 13 from gallery
The Bowl. Hard to tell from this photo, but we are surrounded on all sides by gorgeous bouldery cliffs. We headed southwest (right-ish in this photo) to get to the ridge.
The Bowl. Hard to tell from this photo, but we are surrounded on all sides by gorgeous bouldery cliffs. We headed southwest (right-ish in this photo) to get to the ridge.
Shawn coming up the Bowl.
Shawn coming up the Bowl.
From the top of the Bowl, looking down the canyon toward Desert Queen Wash (at the base of the mountain in the distance).
From the top of the Bowl, looking down the canyon toward Desert Queen Wash (at the base of the mountain in the distance).
Image 17 from gallery
Desert Queen Wash below.
Desert Queen Wash below.
A short time spent in Desert Queen Wash before heading south to start the ascent to Eagle Cliff Cabin.
A short time spent in Desert Queen Wash before heading south to start the ascent to Eagle Cliff Cabin.
The canyon we chose to get up to Eagle Cliff Cabin.
The canyon we chose to get up to Eagle Cliff Cabin.
Obscure bouldery route.
Obscure bouldery route.
Looking back toward the route we came (the shadowy area in the center in the distance).
Looking back toward the route we came (the shadowy area in the center in the distance).
Image 23 from gallery
Approaching the top.
Approaching the top.
Eagle Cliff Cabin is on the right, near that pine tree.
Eagle Cliff Cabin is on the right, near that pine tree.
Entrance to Eagle Cliff Cabin.
Entrance to Eagle Cliff Cabin.
Inside Eagle Cliff Cabin. For better photos, check out my other write-up for Eagle Cliff Cabin from Split Rock.
Inside Eagle Cliff Cabin. For better photos, check out my other write-up for Eagle Cliff Cabin from Split Rock.
A fireplace.
A fireplace.
Along the Eagle Cliff Cabin Trail.
Along the Eagle Cliff Cabin Trail.
Image 30 from gallery
Looking down toward the Eagle Cliff Cabin Trail.
Looking down toward the Eagle Cliff Cabin Trail.
Image 32 from gallery
Image 33 from gallery
Approaching Desert Queen Mine.
Approaching Desert Queen Mine.
Image 35 from gallery
Image 36 from gallery
Some old mining equipment.
Some old mining equipment.
The trail leads through the mines.
The trail leads through the mines.
Looking back toward the Desert Queen Mine.
Looking back toward the Desert Queen Mine.
The last bit of trail before getting to the car.
The last bit of trail before getting to the car.

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