Entry No. 63 — the Los Angeles file — filed under: ruins

Big Horn Mine

Discovered in 1891 by prospector Charles Tom Vincent, the Big Horn Mine was once the largest gold mining operation in Los Angeles County. Its iconic multi-story wooden stamp mill, perched on the slopes of Mount Baden-Powell, was devastated by the 2024 Bridge Fire. Today, the site consists of charred structural ruins, rusted machinery, and gated underground tunnels accessible via a scenic mountain trail.

The move: Hike the 4-mile round-trip trail from Vincent Gap to photograph the historic ruins and take in sweeping views of the San Gabriel Mountains.

📍 Before you go While the hiking trail is on public land in the Angeles National Forest, the mine tunnels are gated off by the Forest Service, and the remaining stamp mill ruins are structurally unstable after being burned in the 2024 Bridge Fire.

• 📍 Azusa
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Azusa, CA 91702, USA

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Wikipedia · latimes.com · sfgate.com

last checked: 2026-07-20