Hiking Trail Guide: Black Mountain

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Black Mountain

Distance
8 miles

Elevation
2700 feet gain

Difficulty
6/10

City
Idyllwild ,CA (92549) 90.37 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
Take the 10 East to Banning. Exit Highway 243, and follow the signs for the highway. About one-two miles past the Vista Grande Ranger Station, you will see a sign for Black Mountain trail. Turn left and follow the dirt road to a parking area.

The trail is pretty easy to follow. In some places it is hard to discern when it follows a rocky wash or tops sandy boulders, just stop to look around and you'll find it.

Black Mountain Road will take you right to the top in summertime, so the best time to make this trip is winter when the road is closed and icy. Even on a Saturday, you won't see many people. The clear winter skies are also a bonus

Description

This is a no-nonsense elevation gainer. You start at 5200 feet and in a little over 3.5 miles gain 2600 feet to a final elevation at or near 7800 feet. Most of the early part of the trail is through oak, some scattered pine and chaparral. Views of the San Gabriels and the San Gorgonio Wilderness open up almost immediately. The real beauty comes, however, when you reach the high country and the alpine woods.

From the fire lookout on top you are afforded a 360' view of Fuller Ridge, San Jacinto, the San Gabriels, San Gorgonio and all of Southern California in-between, albeit the view is interrupted by the lookout tower. Still, this is a fascinating mountain to climb.

The best time to go is winter when Black Mountain Road is closed, so you can avoid people who have taken their cars to the top, and have the views all to yourself. If you do choose winter, watch out for shady icy sections of the trail. Some areas are very dangerous.

Map / Directions: