Summit and Sierra
Black Mountain is the southernmost peak in the White Mountains, most commonly known as the home of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine forest. On the northern end of the range is White Mountain, the third highest peak in California at 14,246 feet.
Black Mountain, while ‘only’ checking in at 9,083 feet, is still an impressive peak when viewed from the west. When driving south along 395 it is the prominent peak outside of Big Pine just north of where route 168 cuts between the Whites and the Inyos.
This is a fairly easy class 2 peak for the experienced desert peak bagger, but what it lacks in challenge it makes up for in views of the Sierra across Owen’s Valley. From the peak the view of the Palisades is incredible, and on a clear day the view extends from the southern Sierra to the peaks of Yosemite. Keep your eye open along the way for ancient bristlecones – there is a small grove along the route.
If You Go
Trailhead Access
Access is by an old mining road. After turning off of SR 168 on White Mountain Road, go 1/2 mile past the entrance station and turn left on a well-used 4WD track. This is an old narrow and twisty mining road with sharp and big rocks. While 4WD was never necessary for the experienced drivers in our group, high clearance definitely was – passenger cars should not go on this road, at the very least the sharp rocks present a danger to your tires, nevermind the clearance issues. Drive about 4 miles until you see a campsite and parking area near the remains of an old mine. Park here.
Route
There is no trail to the summit. To find a basic use trail follow the old blocked road to the left of the parking – look for the cairn leading off of the road. We headed to the mine and then scrambled up the steep and scree-covered slope – this was the most difficult part of the hike.
Rebecca, what an excellent hike. And you have the photos to prove it.
We’re still waiting for the snow to melt in the mountains around Mount Shasta before we can do much in the high country.
Another peak added to my to do list. Thanks a lot…
Great pics as usual.
Don’t know why, but this reminded me of that Led Zeppelin song (songs actually) White Summer/Black Mountain Side 🙂
Calipidder – excellent post and shots! Always impressive!
Were you tempted to go deeper into the mine? I’ve always found abandoned mines to be interested, although dangerous.
Actually, I was. Mostly because it looked relatively recently abandoned (and therefore safer? Probably not, but meh). My headlamp was buried at the bottom of my pack so I only went as far as the sunlight / camera flash would let me. That’s usually my stopping point anyways.