Mt. Minerva Hoyt, Joshua Tree Wilderness Hiking Directions
From parking one mile south of Boy Scout Trailhead on Park Boulevard from the Joshua Tree entrance to Joshua Tree National Park.
Walking on gravel road
Although scenic, the long and flat road became tedious, especially on the hike back. But, hey, we are in Joshua Tree and its unique landscape makes it tolerable. Initially the road has pull-outs for climbers at Hidden Valley rocks. It goes south to meet up with the Old Lost Horse Trail near the Lost Horse Ranger Station at 1.1 miles. Travel on this for ~ 0.5 miles to intersection and continue south (right) on a road that leads directly to the perimeter of the fence line of the old Randolph Ranch.
Hiking west up Lost Horse Valley to valley at base of Minerva Hoyt and Quail Mountain
At 2 miles and the Randolph Ranch, turn right (west) to ascend Lost Horse Valley, which is very wide and then funnels you into a pleasant, shallow canyon with a discernible trail after going by some cool rock formations. Dark rock-covered Minerva Hoyt is ahead on the horizon, and Quail Mountain is southwest of it to its left. Reach a flat saddle and then descend 200 feet into a wide valley with a wash at the base of Minerva Hoyt and Quail Mountain at 4.25 miles.
Ridge hike to summit
We hiked a loop, starting on the ridge immediately before us that aimed W and NW toward Quail Mountain, with a few cairns marking the route. After climbing this ridge, we lost a bit of elevation to arrive at Mount Minerva Hoyt's southwest ridge, hiking on a path that connects to Quail Mountain, labeled "cross-country route" on some maps. The summit was easily attainable and wide with metamorphic rocks and a register to sign.
We descended a faint path down Minerva Hoyt's east ridge to the wash at the base and followed the wash to our entry point in the wash at 7.5 miles, marked with a rock cairn. It helps to look back on the way up to get landmarks to make the entry east back down the small canyon and into Lost Horse Valley.
From parking one mile south of Boy Scout Trailhead on Park Boulevard from the Joshua Tree entrance to Joshua Tree National Park.
Walking on gravel road
Although scenic, the long and flat road became tedious, especially on the hike back. But, hey, we are in Joshua Tree and its unique landscape makes it tolerable. Initially the road has pull-outs for climbers at Hidden Valley rocks. It goes south to meet up with the Old Lost Horse Trail near the Lost Horse Ranger Station at 1.1 miles. Travel on this for ~ 0.5 miles to intersection and continue south (right) on a road that leads directly to the perimeter of the fence line of the old Randolph Ranch.
Hiking west up Lost Horse Valley to valley at base of Minerva Hoyt and Quail Mountain
At 2 miles and the Randolph Ranch, turn right (west) to ascend Lost Horse Valley, which is very wide and then funnels you into a pleasant, shallow canyon with a discernible trail after going by some cool rock formations. Dark rock-covered Minerva Hoyt is ahead on the horizon, and Quail Mountain is southwest of it to its left. Reach a flat saddle and then descend 200 feet into a wide valley with a wash at the base of Minerva Hoyt and Quail Mountain at 4.25 miles.
Ridge hike to summit
We hiked a loop, starting on the ridge immediately before us that aimed W and NW toward Quail Mountain, with a few cairns marking the route. After climbing this ridge, we lost a bit of elevation to arrive at Mount Minerva Hoyt's southwest ridge, hiking on a path that connects to Quail Mountain, labeled "cross-country route" on some maps. The summit was easily attainable and wide with metamorphic rocks and a register to sign.
We descended a faint path down Minerva Hoyt's east ridge to the wash at the base and followed the wash to our entry point in the wash at 7.5 miles, marked with a rock cairn. It helps to look back on the way up to get landmarks to make the entry east back down the small canyon and into Lost Horse Valley.