Black Rock Mountain

Dist: 11.5km    Elev: 900m    Summit: 8078'    Time: 4.5h    Difficulty: 3/5

For the first time since last January, I was able to connect with both Gavin and Elliott for some customary adventuring. Gavin's SUV made easy work of the "sporty" Ghost River Wilderness approach and we arrived at the creek bed trailhead without issue. Not surprisingly, we spent the majority of our drive nerding out over various therapy modalities and our evolving philosophies of care. It was great to learn they are both doing so well in their respective practices. 

The unofficial Black Rock trail was easy to follow and wonderfully scenic throughout, covering a wide range of diverse terrains including burnt forest, rocky cliff bands, grassy alpine meadows and a steep scree final ascent. Views were constant, even from the forest due to the recent wildfires, but Devil's Head and surrounding peaks to the west easily stole the show. We arrived at the abandoned fire lookout in just over two hours and stopped for photos and some lunch.

We encountered a surprisingly high number of mountain bikers on this trail, something I have never really seen before while hiking. Aside from the added adrenaline, apparently biking is also a helpful way to save some time - one of the riders informed us he had completed the ride down last weekend in eleven minutes! For comparison, we took about an hour and a half moving at a respectable pace. 

We watched the bikers disappear before beginning our own return journey. Views were just as nice on the way down and arguably better in some places where we had failed to look back on the way up. The drive home was comfortably quiet and fairly uneventful apart from Gavin's quick roadside "powernap" - I was impressed by his ability to be asleep and snoring in less than a minute! I guess he was tuckered out from his first hike of the season ;)

Another successful day in the great outdoors with excellent company and ideal weather! I have been enjoying exploring some new areas this year and look forward to another exciting season.

Gentle climb through the recent burn path.

First views. We parked in that creek bed below, beneath Phantom Crag peak.

Approaching Black Rock's steep cliff face.

Views to the west including Devil's Head peak.

Out of the trees. The trail easily winds between those cliffs bands to the left.

Improving views to the south.

Alpine meadows atop the cliffs. We came through that opening to the right.

The Black Rock summit and lookout come into view. Notice the group of tiny bikers bottom left.

Black Rock fire lookout.

Devil's Head.

"Counsellor Bros" reunited!

Summit panorama. Easy to see why it was chosen as a lookout site.

Starting our descent.

Back through the cliffs.

Final view of Black Rock mountain from the creek bed trailhead.