El Paso Tin Mines

Liked the hike, did it with my dog, wasn’t that hard. But do bring a flashlight some parts of the mine are pitch black

Great easy hike! Old Tin Mines Trail is a super easy and enjoyable hike, pretty flat throughout and very well maintained. There are plenty of signs along the way, so it’s easy to stay on track. We started from Chuck Heinrich Park, and the full route was about 6 miles round trip. It took us just under 3 hours, including stops to take pictures. We brought our pup along and saw lots of bike riders on the trail. About halfway to the mines there’s even a bike repair station, which is a nice touch. The only challenging part is the final incline up to the mines, but it’s short and not too difficult. Overall, a really pleasant and accessible trail for walkers, hikers, and bikers alike. We’d definitely recommend it!

The trail from Heinrich park was fairly easy, with no real steep hills until you get to the mines. My kids and I really enjoyed it, although it is 3 miles each way.

The trail itself is not difficult, with nice views of the city, mountains, and yuccas, but the highlight is of course the old tin mines. The end of the AllTrail route is not the entrance to the mines. As you climb the mountain, you will pass metal grates on the left. The first entrance is behind the bottom (left) grate. Once you get under the grate, you will see the metal railings and the entrance to the tunnel. To find the second entrance, follow the wooden steps in the ground down the slope and soon you will come to a small door. You have to crawl to get inside, but the tunnels themselves are quite high. At 5 ft 9 in, my brother was able to stand and walk freely most of the time. There were no truly claustrophobic sections. The tunnels are dark, dusty, and have sharp rocks on the floor, so bring flashlights or headlamps and sturdy boots. The tunnels aren’t very long, and while there are a few forks, it’s not a maze in which one can get lost. It took us a total of 3 hours to get there, explore the mines, and return back to the car. On a weekday morning in May, we encountered only one mountain biker. We paid the fee ($5 per person) in cash using an envelope at the trailhead at Chuck Heinrich Memorial Park, but we could have paid it online and written the reservation number on a permit.

Nice hike from Chuck Heinrick Park. Took about 1.5 hours. This is a moderate hike that needs good hiking shoes as there is plenty of loose gravel. Getting to the mines can be a bit challenging for some folks. The mines themselves are not long but it was a cool visit after a good hike. You need flashlights.