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| - Black Mountain Trail
I really enjoyed this hike. I recommend Black Mountain Trail to anyone looking for a hike with some challenges, a good distance, and a great view from the top. I don't recommend this hike during the summer or when the sun is beating down since there is very little shade on 98.76% of the trail. The hike to the top is about 3.5 miles or 7 miles round trip. It took me about 3 hours to complete (80 minutes up / 90 minutes down). The first 3.25 miles of the hike is easy to moderate. There is plenty of switchbacks and the climb up is gradual. The last 1/4 mile is a beast. It's not uncommon to see a few people turn back around when they get to this point. The last 1/4 mile is steep, strenuous, and you will be scrambling. My advice is to be patient (it's not a race), be safe (watch your footing), and take breaks (great time to hydrate). I admit it, I did. It took me about me about 20 minutes for the last 1/4 mile. Once at the top, you're rewarded with a great view of the entire city and the American Flag.
Couple of tips...
1. Obviously, you need to bring enough hydration with you. I brought over 3 liters of water with me and that wasn't enough. I also hiked to the top 100% fasted, which I do not recommend. I did enjoy a couple of servings of peanut butter at the top. That was my reward.
2. Watch your footing on the way up and down. 90% of the trail is packed dirt and stable. The last 1/4 mile has a lot of gravel and loose rock. I also recommend that you bring gloves. Believe me, gloves will be your best friend the last 1/4 mile.
3. Do this hike either at dusk or dawn. The sun is a killer, especially since there's no shade. Don't forget your sunscreen. I do not recommend this hike during the summer.
4. Watch out for snakes and tarantulas. I almost stepped on a snake on the way down. As I was taking pictures of it, I heard another snake rattling in the distance. The snake was alive, but wasn't moving much. Another hiker thinks that the rattlesnake that we heard injured it. I didn't see any tarantulas, but a few hikers had pictures of one they seen on the way up.
5. The address on Yelp is not 100% accurate, but it's close enough. Daniel S. laid out pretty clear directions on his Yelp review.
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