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The main gravel park road (Skyline Drive) gets to a pass where the spur road starts. It is only one mile on the spur road to the summit. Any vehicle can get to the spur road and park. At this point you can park and walk the road up. Another option from the parking at Skyline Drive is to walk an old gated road, then take a trail to the summit (see map). The trail is a motorcycle trail and crosses over the top so if you hike the road, you can take a shortcut directly up when you reach the motorcycle trail.
Access:
Summit Elevation: 4,128
Hiking Distance: one mile
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Prominence: 425 feet
Mineral Mountain Lookout Site
In 1935, there was 40 foot wooden tower with L4 cab.
In 1966, there was a 52 foot steel MC-40 Aermotot tower, with a ground cabin below.
These were gone by 1981.
Lookout History:
This former lookout site is within Mary Minerva Croskey Memorial State Park. The site has been turned into a picnic location. Although a road goes to the top, as of 2024, it seemed to be overgrowing. It would not be hard to reestablish it, so conditions may vary in the future.
Overgrowing road to the summit
The footings show names written in 1940, so that is different than the history.
Lookout in the 1960s
Taking the trail back to the parking lot in order to make a loop hike.
Footings at the summit picnic table.
A few views from the motorcycle trail route.
Footing
Footing
A small view to the south
Summit of Mineral Mountain
Summit of Mineral Mountain
A small view to the south
Blue is the gated road and motorcycle trail route. Blue dots is the spur road that may or may not be drivable.