The hike is steep and the trail disappears as you get closer to the mine.  The trail offers great views of Steed and Hornet Canyons.

The trail starts near the entrance of Stead Canyon on the south side of the canyon opening.  You will see a very visible trail that goes straight up the mountain side.

Follow this trail for a few hundred yards.

After a few hundred yards, you will come to RUSTED ROCK – a rock that looks like it is rusted (see photo to the right).  At this point the dirt trail begins to curve up the mountain and continue south.  Here is where you will need to leave the trail and bushwhack, continuing up the mountain off the trail gaining elevation and going towards Stead Canyon.

Once you leave the rusted rock, you will travel on this terrain (see left picture) for another hundred yards or so until you come to short scrub oak.

Bushwhack through the scrub oak, you will see multiple trails, most likely game trails, until you come to the small flat surface where the vertical mine shaft is located.

PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN APPROACHING THIS MINE!

Here is the mine opening.  You will see a large iron spike stuck in the roof just over the opening.

Rappelling Down Forgotten Mine

My brother and I took up our rappelling equipment and descending down to see what was inside this mine.  We rappelled about 35 feet and the mine simply ended.  At the bottom though was an old cable that was no doubt used to haul up the ore.  Still a fun experience!

Forgotten Mine