My first time on this mountain and it didn't disappoint! I arrived at the trailhead just before 7am. There were only two other cars there and they (I'm guessing) were locals doing a morning walk on the lower trails.

The Black Mountain Trail was well established and very easy to follow. Unlike Turtlehead where you follow a wash and then hike up the draw, the Black Mountain trail follows just below the crest of the spur leading up to the summit. This was an easy gradual climb for the most part. Then picked up in steepness about a mile from the summit. With less than a 1/4 mile to go to the summit it picks up just over 500ft in elevation gain. The final approach was an easy to follow class 1/2 rock scramble. Not nearly as difficult as I had read, yet still challenging.

There were only two other hikers who arrived at the summit shortly after I did. We hung out for about 15 or 20 minutes and discussed some of the other peaks around the area. We had a clear view of Red Rock Canyon and could see at least 4 of the other peaks in the challenge (Charleston, Griffith, Fletcher, and Turtlehead). Maybe Mummy.

I opted to take a less travelled route down from the summit. A loop instead of the out and back. I followed the ridgeline for a few hundred yards. It was an easy class 2 scramble. Once reaching the spur I planned to use for my descent, there was a well used and maintained trail that I was able to follow all the way down and back to my original starting point. This trail also had several trail markers along the way pointing me in the right direction. Although, descending the same route I climbed would have been fun, I really enjoyed this loop route down. I highly recommend it to anyone. Even if you are marginal at navigating but can easily follow a trail.

Once down, the small parking lot and street parking was full, and others were arriving to begin there hikes. A little late I thought but the temps are only supposed to reach the mid 70's today. Keep in mind the entire route is fully exposed and the sun will be in your face on your ascent. I did meet two hikers (Challenger #46 and Challenger I don't have mine yet) as they were getting ready to start their hike. Both were on their 1st peak (Black Mountain) of the Las Vegas Challenge and were planning to do Turtlehead on Sunday. Ironically, one of them was originally from SoCal and had completed the SoCal Six Pack three times and the NorCal (Bay Area) Six Pack once. She was also a member of the hiking group 3H (Hiking for Health and Happiness).