Black Mountain

11/19/17  Another obscure trail on San Jacinto. Though not as remote as Seven Pines, Black Mountain is a great little 8 mile trail with hardly anyone on it. With some of the best views in SoCal on top.
IMG_4581 A little ways away from Idyllwild, the Black Mountain Trail is a lessor known trail on the South side of the mountain and one I had never done before.
A little ways away from Idyllwild, the Black Mountain Trail is a lessor known trail on the South side of the mountain and one I had never done before.
IMG_4585 Great singletrack right from the start.
Great singletrack right from the start.
IMG_4597 Much easier to follow than Seven Pines but still plenty rugged.
Much easier to follow than Seven Pines but still plenty rugged.
IMG_4604 I love that cushy pine needle ground cover!
I love that cushy pine needle ground cover!
IMG_4605 Great views of Gorgonio on the way up.
Great views of Gorgonio on the way up.
IMG_4616 Made it to the ridge. Only about 1/2 mile up to the watchtower from here.
Made it to the ridge. Only about 1/2 mile up to the watchtower from here.
IMG_4618 There isn't much of a trail the rest of the way. Just remember to head right from the water tower.
There isn't much of a trail the rest of the way. Just remember to head right from the water tower.
IMG_4620 Some really expansive views. Probably even more so than Tahquitz Peak. I can see why this is a good fire watchtower spot.
Some really expansive views. Probably even more so than Tahquitz Peak. I can see why this is a good fire watchtower spot.
IMG_4624 A panoramic version.
A panoramic version.
IMG_4625 First sight of the tower.
First sight of the tower.
IMG_4627 Unfortunately, you can also get here via a fireroad. Booo.
Unfortunately, you can also get here via a fireroad. Booo.
IMG_4628 Not quite as old and quaint as the Tahquitz watchtower but a little taller.
Not quite as old and quaint as the Tahquitz watchtower but a little taller.
IMG_4636 Noone was working the tower today, and I couldn't get onto the balcony, but I got as high as I could.
Noone was working the tower today, and I couldn't get onto the balcony, but I got as high as I could.
IMG_4643 Only one other person on top.
Only one other person on top.
IMG_4631 The towers are kept rustic intentionally. I believe the Tahquitz tower is actually a historic landmark now.
The towers are kept rustic intentionally. I believe the Tahquitz tower is actually a historic landmark now.
IMG_4661 7,772' summit.
7,772' summit.
IMG_4629 A new view of San Jacinto for me.
A new view of San Jacinto for me.
IMG_4637 And of San Gorgonio.
And of San Gorgonio.
IMG_4655 Santiago and Baldy.
Santiago and Baldy.
IMG_4657 Baldy and Gorgonio.
Baldy and Gorgonio.