The Black Mountain Challenge!

The parking lot was packed before 7:30 a.m., making it difficult for most people to find parking. Some of us had to walk an extra mile just to reach the trailhead because we had to park so far outside the preserve itself.

We started up the trails, which stayed mostly shaded throughout the morning. The weather was cool and comfortable, with the sun occasionally breaking through the trees. The group was in great spirits and making incredible time up and down the trails until the final push toward the summit of Black Mountain.

The last 0.9 miles were no problem for the group, and we arrived at the summit around 10:40 a.m. After about a 25-minute break, plenty of pictures, and some well-earned rest, we headed back down using a loop route so we wouldn’t have to do a complete out-and-back hike.

The trails were not overly crowded, and there were plenty of little critters around, though thankfully no snakes. Near the end of our journey, with less than a mile to go, we came across four bucks grazing near the park entrance. It was pretty amazing because none of them seemed very afraid of us or eager to run away. We kept our distance while taking lots of pictures.

For those lucky enough to get parking spots inside the preserve, they were done for the day. Unfortunately, along with two others, I still had an extra mile hike back out to our cars.

Without the additional walk to and from the parking area, the hike totaled about 15 miles round trip with 3,435 feet of elevation gain, completed in roughly six and a half hours.

I want to thank everybody who came out with me from the Bay Area Hikers Facebook group to help me bag my fifth peak of the Bay Area Six Peak Challenge!

If you have any questions about my hikes, feel free to message me—I’m always happy to share more. If you’re interested in following along, you can find me on Facebook Jason’s Hiking Adventures, Ocean to Peaks Adventures, Bay Area Hikers, Instagram (@jasonshikingadventures), Social Hiker, and AllTrails. Please note that I am not a professional guide. I plan hikes to share the outdoor experience, and each hiker is responsible for their own safety and abilities.

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