Peak 3 of 6 in the bag! Hit Black Mountain via Rhus Ridge with a small group and just barely snagged the last spot at the Rhus Ridge trailhead around 7AM (pro tip: get there early—it’s a tiny lot).

The trail kicked off cool and shaded with lush greenery, but it warmed up quick under that cloudless blue sky. The climb was steady but very manageable. That said, with a crew of mixed hiking speeds and plenty of breaks, we added at least 30 minutes to the total time—totally worth it for the good views and even better company.

We spotted some gophers and even a rabbit on the trail and soaked up classic South Bay panoramas. The air was crisp, the hills were glowing, and the summit marker was the cherry on top of a picture-perfect morning.