Adopted Trails: 2N90 Tip Top Mtn. 2N06X Lower Larga Flat

Description

Adopted: 

Tip Top Mountain in 2002

Lower larga Flats in 2023

 

Road #s: 

Tip Top Mtn : 2N90 (2N90A, 2N90B, 2N90C) 

Lower Larga Flats: 2N06X

 

Coordinates: 

Tip Top Mtn:  (34 15.3000, -116 42.6500)

Lower Larga Flats:  (West side off 3N16 at 34.289283, -117.036250 and East side off 3N93 at 34.281350,-117.004667)

Elevation: 

Tip Top Mtn - 2N90 @ (6,750 ft)

Lower Larga Flats - 2N06X @ (6,349ft)

TIP TOP MOUNTAIN TRAIL

Tip Top was mined for its silver, lead, and traces of gold from 1874 to 1892, again in 1910 to about 1920 and as recently as 1951. The oldest mine on the summit of Tip Top was the Tip Top Silver Mine, then the name was changed to the Summit Mine and then changed again to the Silver Dream. The names of four other mines that were worked on Tip Top were the Sitting Bull, Blowout, Lone Star and Red Warrior. These were short lived unprofitable ventures.

In the valley below Tip Top Mountain was the Rose Mine which was one of the major producing gold mines in the mountains. The mine's name is derived from the high iron content of the soil which gives the ground in the area a dull rose coloring. Nowhere else in the San Bernardino mountains was gold found so heavily mixed with iron. The Rose Mine operated from 1887 till around 1912. In 1887 it was called the Homestead Mine and then in 1889 the name was changed to the Rose Mine. In 1891 a 5 stamp mill was erected to process the ore and in 1897 a new 40 stamp mill with 6 cyanide tanks was built. The main shaft of the mine was below the stamp mill and went down 400 feet with a network of tunnels at the 350 & 400 foot levels. Some exploratory work was done in the 1920's & 1930's but no new ore bodies were found. Around 1933 the stamp mill and all of the equipment was scrapped. There was a small village at the mine which consisted of 12 wooden buildings. One building being the store/post office, another the school and the other buildings were occupied by the mine personnel and their families. Through the years these buildings gradually disappeared; some of them destroyed by fire.

This is rated as a Black Diamond trail by forest service standards and a 2+ by Capo Valley Four Wheeler club standards.  No camping facilities are available.  Pack it in and pack it out.  There are mine openings but they have been sealed to keep people out but let wild life come and go.Tip Top was mined for its silver, lead, and traces of gold from 1874 to 1892, again in 1910 to about 1920 and as recently as 1951. The oldest mine on the summit of Tip Top was the Tip Top Silver Mine, then the name was changed to the Summit Mine and then changed again to the Silver Dream. The names of four other mines that were worked on Tip Top were the Sitting Bull, Blowout, Lone Star and Red Warrior. These were short lived unprofitable ventures.

 
For info on the adopt a trail program and a list of adopted trails go to the forest service website http://www.sbnf-adopt-a-trail.com
 
Guide Maps:
  • USGS Topo Maps: Rattlesnake Canyon, & Onyx Peak Quadrangle, 7.5-Minute Series
  • Forest Service Off-Highway Vehicle Guide San Bernardino National Forest year 2005
  • Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Map San Bernardino National Forest year 2009

This is a 3.2 mile trail it can take several hours depending on your equipment and abilities. Be ready for off-camber areas, big large rocks throughout the trail and lots of flexing of your vehicle. This is rated as a Black Diamond trail by forest service standards and a 3+ by Capo Valley Four Wheeler club standards.  It is one of the harder trails in the forest.  Be ready for break downs. No camping facilities are available.  Pack it in and pack it out.  

Guide Maps:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5202570.pdf

Lower Larga Flat is covered by the Butler Peak, CA US Topo Map quadrant

Forest Service Off-Highway Vehicle Guide San Bernardino National Forest year 2005

Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Map San Bernardino National Forest year 2009

LOWER LARGA FLATS TRAIL

This is a 3.2 mile trail it can take several hours depending on your equipment and abilities. Be ready for off-camber areas, big large rocks throughout the trail and lots of flexing of your vehicle. This is rated as a Black Diamond trail by forest service standards and a 3+ by Capo Valley Four Wheeler club standards.  It is one of the harder trails in the forest.  Be ready for break downs. No camping facilities are available.  Pack it in and pack it out.  

Guide Maps:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5202570.pdf

Lower Larga Flat is covered by the Butler Peak, CA US Topo Map quadrant

Forest Service Off-Highway Vehicle Guide San Bernardino National Forest year 2005

Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Map San Bernardino National Forest year 2009

For info on the adopt a trail program and a list of adopted trails go to the forest service website http://www.sbnf-adopt-a-trail.com

 

 

Run Checklist

Always Required

  • HAM Radio on 146.550 MHz
  • Full-Sized Spare Tire
  • Seat Belts
  • First Aid Kit
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Battery Tiedown
  • Working Brakes
  • Tow Straps
  • Tow Points

Run Requirements

  • 33+ Sized Tire
  • 2+ Suspension Lift
  • 4LO Transfer Case

Run Recommendations

  • Rear Axle Locker
  • Gas Cans

Trail Rating

Trail Rating 2+

Difficulty Level: 2+

Trail Rating 1 Graded road; Any 4x4 vehicle or higher clearance 2x4 vehicle with no other modifications
Trail Rating 2 Road rarely maintained; 4x4 with no low bumpers. Anti-sway bar disconnects recommended. Minimum 30" tires and some off-road experience is helpful
Trail Rating 3 Difficult terrain and road rarely maintained; 33" tires, Suspension lift, Off-road driving experience, body armor and Rear locker recommended. Stock vehicles will likely take damage
Trail Rating 4 Very difficult terrain, road never maintained; 33" tires, sway-bar disconnects, Rear locker, and Rock sliders required. 35" tires, front locker, Full cage, and 4:1 transfer-case recommended. Chance of mechanical failure and body damage
Trail Rating 5 Extremely difficult terrain with large obstacles and roll over potential; Full cage required, 37" tires strongly recommended. Good chance of mechanical failure and strong chance of body damage

Location

From Onyx Summit travel north on Route 38 for about 1 6/10 of a mile to forest service road 2N01 which will be on the right.
 
Take 2N01 till you reach 2N02 (Burns Canyon Road) approx 6 1/2 miles.
 
Go left on 2N02 approx 3/10 of a mile and 2N90 will be on your right just past the rose colored tailings of the Rose Mine on the right.

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