I hiked to the top via the Black Mountain trail. It was steep with a slow start but great payoff at the fire lookout at the summit.
The first third or so of the trail was not that exciting, as views were instructed by trees and other plants. After that, views opened up over the Santa Ana mountains to the west, followed by great views of the San bernardino to the north. By the time the fire lookout is reached, the views are truly spectacular, including views of San Jacinto. The trail also had some new wild flowers and an assortment of trees. Not that crowded for the area.
tarol - Aug 13, 2013 10:57 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2013
My son's first real hike!
My 17 month old son hiked almost the whole way himself! Very proud of him :)
orbitor - Aug 27, 2012 1:07 am Date Climbed: May 5, 2012
Via Black Mountain Trail
Bagged summit on way back from Fuller Ridge, where we stashed water for the following week's Snow Creek to San Jacinto (S2S) hike. Outstanding views of San J and San G from the fire lookout.
Noondueler - Dec 9, 2011 11:12 pm Date Climbed: Dec 20, 1999
Black Mtn. Trail
Blockbuster view of San Gorgonio.
bechtt - Dec 5, 2011 1:47 pm Date Climbed: Dec 4, 2011
Winter hike up the road
Hiked up the road from the locked gate at Pine Wood first to Castle Rock and then hit Black on the way back. With Erin and Zeus. Plenty of snow above 7000'.
asmrz - Mar 6, 2011 7:16 pm Date Climbed: Feb 28, 2011
Skied from Hwy 243
Penelope May and I went to check out the Black Mountain Road on February 21, 2011. We found a neat set of fresh ski tracks in the powder snow right off Highway 243. Since we started late (9:30) we skied only about 4 miles up. There we found Deb Castro-Daly and Dave Daly (SP Members) who (nicely) broke the trail for us. But we didn't make the summit, the day was too short for us. After a huge snow storm the next weekend, we tried it again on February 28, 2011. We started early and skied the 6-7 miles to the Lookout tower and the summit. We had to break the snow all the way this time, so it was a good workout. The ski down to our car parked on Hwy 243 was really nice. RT of about 12-14 miles. This is yet another great AT trip in the "Not so Alpine" land of Southern California.
SierraCJ - Jan 22, 2011 9:45 pm Date Climbed: Jan 22, 2011
Great Views
Nice hike up Black Mountain Trail. Some snow on the north side but great views from summit.
Alex Wood - May 24, 2010 8:36 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2010
Late May Snow
Hiked this peak with my little brother and our dogs. Drove most of the way up (probably 3/4 of the way) on the road with my Ford Taurus. I could have made it to the campground, but there was alot of snow on the road (it was melted on the way down). Cool views and lots of rocks. I will be coming back to check out the rock climbing in the area.
cab - May 3, 2010 11:23 am Date Climbed: May 2, 2010
Black Mountain Trail
Stopped by on the way to Castle Rocks.
Bob Burd - Nov 5, 2009 12:17 am Date Climbed: Dec 2, 2008
Black Mtn Trail
With a few other HPS peaks in the area, joined by Ryan Spaulding. Trip Report
NavySeabee - Nov 4, 2009 7:04 pm Date Climbed: Oct 3, 2009
San J HPS Western Roundup
Via Black Mountain Road. First of five HPS (one delisted) peaks in the western San Jacinto mountains. Great views and pleasant temps in the early morning hours. Bumpy road was tackled in about 15 minutes in my SUV. Perfect fall day!
wannabepeakbagger - Jan 28, 2021 8:05 pm Date Climbed: Jan 26, 2021
QuietNice, easy to follow trail. Views were alright from the top. Since it was winter, it wasn't a drive-up for the high clearance crowd.
Donno - Sep 25, 2017 10:48 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2017
From 2435:15 round trip from 243. 1 hr on summit. Training for Muriel Pk and Mt Goethe.
Hiked in 2018 w Peter.
StartingOver - Jun 27, 2015 11:47 pm
Short but SteepI hiked to the top via the Black Mountain trail. It was steep with a slow start but great payoff at the fire lookout at the summit.
The first third or so of the trail was not that exciting, as views were instructed by trees and other plants. After that, views opened up over the Santa Ana mountains to the west, followed by great views of the San bernardino to the north. By the time the fire lookout is reached, the views are truly spectacular, including views of San Jacinto. The trail also had some new wild flowers and an assortment of trees. Not that crowded for the area.
tarol - Aug 13, 2013 10:57 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2013
My son's first real hike!My 17 month old son hiked almost the whole way himself! Very proud of him :)
orbitor - Aug 27, 2012 1:07 am Date Climbed: May 5, 2012
Via Black Mountain TrailBagged summit on way back from Fuller Ridge, where we stashed water for the following week's Snow Creek to San Jacinto (S2S) hike. Outstanding views of San J and San G from the fire lookout.
Noondueler - Dec 9, 2011 11:12 pm Date Climbed: Dec 20, 1999
Black Mtn. TrailBlockbuster view of San Gorgonio.
bechtt - Dec 5, 2011 1:47 pm Date Climbed: Dec 4, 2011
Winter hike up the roadHiked up the road from the locked gate at Pine Wood first to Castle Rock and then hit Black on the way back. With Erin and Zeus. Plenty of snow above 7000'.
asmrz - Mar 6, 2011 7:16 pm Date Climbed: Feb 28, 2011
Skied from Hwy 243Penelope May and I went to check out the Black Mountain Road on February 21, 2011. We found a neat set of fresh ski tracks in the powder snow right off Highway 243. Since we started late (9:30) we skied only about 4 miles up. There we found Deb Castro-Daly and Dave Daly (SP Members) who (nicely) broke the trail for us. But we didn't make the summit, the day was too short for us. After a huge snow storm the next weekend, we tried it again on February 28, 2011. We started early and skied the 6-7 miles to the Lookout tower and the summit. We had to break the snow all the way this time, so it was a good workout. The ski down to our car parked on Hwy 243 was really nice. RT of about 12-14 miles. This is yet another great AT trip in the "Not so Alpine" land of Southern California.
SierraCJ - Jan 22, 2011 9:45 pm Date Climbed: Jan 22, 2011
Great ViewsNice hike up Black Mountain Trail. Some snow on the north side but great views from summit.
Alex Wood - May 24, 2010 8:36 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2010
Late May SnowHiked this peak with my little brother and our dogs. Drove most of the way up (probably 3/4 of the way) on the road with my Ford Taurus. I could have made it to the campground, but there was alot of snow on the road (it was melted on the way down). Cool views and lots of rocks. I will be coming back to check out the rock climbing in the area.
cab - May 3, 2010 11:23 am Date Climbed: May 2, 2010
Black Mountain TrailStopped by on the way to Castle Rocks.
Bob Burd - Nov 5, 2009 12:17 am Date Climbed: Dec 2, 2008
Black Mtn TrailWith a few other HPS peaks in the area, joined by Ryan Spaulding. Trip Report
NavySeabee - Nov 4, 2009 7:04 pm Date Climbed: Oct 3, 2009
San J HPS Western RoundupVia Black Mountain Road. First of five HPS (one delisted) peaks in the western San Jacinto mountains. Great views and pleasant temps in the early morning hours. Bumpy road was tackled in about 15 minutes in my SUV. Perfect fall day!