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Located about forty miles southwest of Las Vegas, the small town of Goodsprings was once a booming mining town while Las Vegas was just getting settled. The 2.2 mile Goodsprings Trail, a natural surface pathway that leads out from the town into the surrounding arid natural space, offers a perfect opportunity to explore the rich history of the area. Signs along the trail detail the area's ecology and plant and animal life, and the backbone of the trail system is the section called the Yellow Pine Mine Railroad Trail, with signage that goes into the town's history with the Yellow Pine Mine.
Built to extract lead and zinc from an area miles to the north of town, the Yellow Pine Mine constructed a narrow-gauge railroad to carry the ore out to the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad line that went through Jean, Nevada. Now, a little less than a mile of trail follows the berm of the railroad, whose tracks were taken up in 1934 after the decline of the mine. The trail offers scenic views of the strange desert beauty of southern Nevada, ascending and descending through shrubland dotted with cacti, with mountains visible all around. With several historic buildings in the town of Goodsprings and the addition of the Goodsprings Trail (completed in 2019), visitors stopping by the little town will be sure to find something interesting!
Parking and restroom facilities are available at the trailhead located on Pacific Avenue at the north end of town. To get to Goodsprings from Interstate 15, take exit 12 in Jean and head northwest on State Route 161/Goodsprings Road until you reach the town.
This was an enjoyable home with some elevation gain in a few spots. Great views along the way.
Trail built in 2018 by BLM. It's a smooth two person wide pea gravel trail with many elevation changes. many signs denoting the history, fauna and flora.
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