Adopted Trail: 2N90 Tip Top Mountain

Description

Adopted: July 2002

Road #s: 2N90 (2N90A, 2N90B, 2N90C)

Coordinates: 34 15.3000, -116 42.6500

Elevation: 6,750 ft

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. No where 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.
 
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:
  • Tip Top Mountain can be found on the 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

 

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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