The view from Black Mountain

On New Years Day, like most people, I tend to reflect upon the past year and on the year ahead and this year was no different. Another tradition is to get outside. In previous years, I hiked Woodson Mountain, went fishing at Lake Poway, and in 2009 I took a day trip to the snow in Idyllwild.

This year, we went to Hilltop Community Park in Rancho Penasquitos. It is a park that I have been going to lately because my daughter likes to play there. While there, I decided to make a quick trip up Black Mountain with the PD and TN.

I had a bit of the flu a couple of days leading up to New Years Day, but I felt  fine this day. The weather was incredible, compared to the rest of the country. I was happy to encounter a lot of people on the trail, and changed my usual “hello” to “Happy New Year.” I was so impressed by a woman who was obviously training for something intense by running up and down Black Mountain 3 times for a total of around 20 miles that I applauded her as she lapped me a second time.

Black Mountain from the North

Black Mountain (Little Black Mountain)
Elevation: 1,554′
Miles: 4
Trail head (Hilltop Community Park)
Agency: Black Mountain Open Space Park

I got up early and summited Black Mountain this morning. It was so foggy that I almost took the wrong trail a couple of times. Even about 1/4 of a mile away from the peak, I still couldn’t see it.

Just when you think the trail is steep, it gets steeper. There wasn’t much view from the top, except a nice purple flower blooming.

Update:

I’ve been up this mountain so many times, that I have lost count. My favorite is to drive to Hilltop Community Park and head up with a headlamp just before dawn and watch the sun rise over Iron Mountain and The Cuyamacas from the summit. It is a great sight to see and a complete reward for gaining ~900′ in two miles. I then jog the whole way down, taking it easy in the really rocky sections. I’ve seen some other regulars making their way up just as I am almost back to my car at Hilltop Community Park

Purple flower on Black Mountain Peak

Update 01/01/2010:

New picture from the peak:

A better image from the top.

Update Jan 2011:

Panoramic View from Black Mountain

Update 06/17/2011:

I have ascended this mountain from several different directions, since I can see it from my home office and use it for training. As a matter of fact, I am looking at it right now. My favorite route is indicated on the map below, due to the easy parking and the even 4 miles round trip with about 900′ of gain/loss.

Black Mountain Trail Map (Click to Enlarge)

Update 06/25/2011: Another panoramic photo of Black Mountain.

Black Mountain panorama to the east