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| - Wow! 2013 had been a fantastic year for outdoor adventures. I was going to end the year on a hiking adventure where I was going to rise above it all. I was going to hike up Black Mountain.
Black Mountain is a 5, 092 foot high peak in the McCullough Mountain range inside the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area. A mountain that had been isolated from the metropolitan area 15 years ago is now in the backyard of Henderson's Anthem masterplanned community.
The best way to get to the trailhead is to drive on Eastern Avenue toward Anthem and then keep left on Sun City Anthem Parkway. After the third traffic signal and past the Walgreen's turn left on Atchley Drive. At Shadow Canyon Drive turn left. The small parking lot is on the left.
Before I describe the hike, I want to empthasize that I wouldn't have been able to reach the summit without a knapsack of hydration and hiking boots. This is a strenuous hike with approximately 2, 000 feet of elevation gain.
The beginning of the hike is confusing. It starts out on the right-of-way on the southernmost segment of the signed Anthem East Trail. Signing for the Black Mountain Trail is nonexistent as the paved path winds through the edges of the Anthem community. When suburbia merges with the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area in a spot that looks like an amphitheater, Anthem East Trail suddenly changes to a north to south trail parallel to powerlines. Whatever you do, avoid aiming for the mountain with antennas. The trick is to continue past the powerlines and leave the Anthem East Trail. So instead of turning left to follow the paved trail, continue straight on a dirt trail that travels downhill. I believe it is marked Road 401. Sloan Canyon border markers are the landmarks. After a short distance following the border markers there will be the Black Mountain Trail sign.
From this point forward, the approximately 2 hour hike (each way) is uphill. From the Black Mountain Trail sign to the summit the trail is clear but unsigned. The first thousand feet of elevation gain is relatively gentle switchbacks with some loose gravel covering distances. With each step, the panoramic views of Las Vegas and southwest Henderson become more breathtaking. Volcanic rock-hence the name Black Mountain and creosote with a sprinkling of cactuses and joshua trees fill the rising desert carpet. With each step up in elevation, the summit gets closer and larger. This is a strenuous hike and I was appreciating the hydration. Toward the last 1, 000 feet in elevation, steep vertical climbing replaces the switchbacks. There are segments where large volcanic rock replace the clear trail. To reach the summit, it was necessary to scramble. If you are new to hiking, scrambling is utilizing your hands and feet on steep vertical inclines.
Once I reached the summit, I felt like I landed on the moon. The American flag is the landmark on the summit. I literally felt like I rised above it all. The views from the 5, 092 feet summit is breathtaking. One direction, I could see across the Las Vegas valley to the Spring Mountains. Another direction I could see across Henderson to Lake Las Vegas. Looking another direction I looked down on a US 95 cutting through Eldorado Canyon and across Boulder City and into the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The topography on the summit is volcanic rock. By the volcanic rock, I signed the log book.
When I did the 2 hour hike back, it was getting dark. Although I don't recommend hiking when it gets dark without a flashlight, it is a spiritual experience. When I walked down Black mountain during sundown, I saw the sun turn Black Mountain orange. As sundown turned to evening, the hike exposed my eyes to the illuminated valley below. The city lights reflected the trail which eventually brought me back to the Anthem East Trail and ultimately to my car.
After hiking to the summit of Black Mountain and back, I ended 2013 rising above it all. As I write this minutes before 2013 turns to 2014 my New Years resolution is another year of rising above it all on Happy and Healthy outdoor adventures.
Happy New Year! May 2014 be a fantastic year :-)
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