Hike Black Mountain (Idyllwild) San Bernardino National Forest, CA

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Jun 28, 2025 — Black Mountain is a minor summit with a fire tower to the west of the much more popular Mount San Jacinto. “Black Mountain” feels like the West’s default mountain name, and every time I hike one, another five pop up in my queue. This one is located near Idyllwild, CA within the San Jacinto Mountains.

The Black Mountain Lookout Tower is more often accessed by hiking a dirt road from the nearby Boulder Basin Campground near the summit, but we chose to start from Highway 243 instead, at a small trailhead that’s easy to miss if you’re driving too fast. I met up with Adam, a mutual friend who’d be joining us for a rave later, an enthusiastic and capable companion for both of today’s exhausting activities.

The first mile bakes in the sun, with lots of chaparral and the occasional interesting rock outcropping. Sandy switchbacks twist through the brush, but the trail is easy to follow and well-maintained. A quick glance back to the west offers long views, but ahead, granitic boulders begin popping up in the sand, little teasers of the bigger granite features higher up. Soon, Black Mountain itself comes into view.

The grade eases for a bit as we hit a flatter stretch, the trail wrapping into a wide drainage where the slope rises on our right toward the summit. A couple of switchbacks bring us deeper into this drainage. Then it’s time for the final climb, where moderate-grade switchbacks lead steadily upward, with expanding views back over the Southern California landscape.

We reached the northern saddle of Black Mountain, keeping right to follow one of several social trails snaking up the slope and threading between massive granite boulders until the fire lookout comes into view. The trail meets the road from Boulder Basin Campground, accompanied by clean hikers who’d opted to take the easier route. Here we pickup up the nicely manicured paved ramp leading up to the fire lookout tower. San Gorgonio Mountain was off in the distance and the desert spilled out far below.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Black Mountain

7775 ft

460 rise

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Black Mountain Trailhead.

Sandy switchbacks through chaparral lower down.

The trail is easy to follow and well-maintained.

View back to the west.

Cute granitic boulders start popping up in the sand, and Black Mountain becomes visible ahead.

Flatter section of the trail before wrapping into a wide drainage.

Black Mountain ahead. The Trail leads up the slope on the left.

A switchback within the wide drainage, approaching the base of Black Mountain.

An open area with some pretty ferns.

Now heading up the final ascent taking moderate-grade switchbacks.

View back into the SoCal landscape.

Nice views from the switchbacks higher up.

Approaching the northern saddle of Black Mountain.

At the saddle, keep right to head to the summit. There are various social trails weaving up the slope.

We reached the dirt road and then this nicely manicured paved ramp to gain the lookout tower.

Black Mountain Lookout Tower.

Summit of Black Mountain toward Mount San Jacinto.

Summit of Black Mountain toward San Gorgonio Mountain.

Close-up of San Gorgonio Mountain.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!