Black Mountain #5

Black Mountain #5, taken from Split Mountain, photo by Kathy Wing

Black Mountain #5, photo by Janet Howell

Split Mountain and Black Mountain #5, taken from Sunday Peak, photo by Valerie Norton

Black Mountain #5, taken from Split Mountain, Photo by Kathy Wing.

Peak Name

Black Mountain #5

01D

Elevation

7438

feet

Status

active

Region

Southern Sierra North Of Hwy 178

Range

Greenhorn Mountains

Nearby peaks

Split Mountain, Bohna Peak, Sunday Peak

Location

35.7416178,-118.5236984

Description

Black can be climbed directly or by various routes in combination with nearby Split Mountain. Route 1 makes a relatively short but steep ascent through a magnificent forest verdant with lush ferns and beautiful trees, following an abandoned road and use trail. It can be hiked out and back with Split or in a loop.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

1200′

Navigation Difficulty

Intermediate

Distance

3 miles round trip cross-country

Estimated time

2-2 1/2 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, easy

Leader Rating Required

“I”, normal conditions

Driving route

From Sylmar rideshare point go north on I-5 to SR 99.
Go north 24.5 miles on SR 99 to SR 58.
Go east 7.1 miles on SR 58 to Weedpatch Highway (SR 184).
Go 4.3 miles north on SR 184 to SR 178. Please note: SR 184 goes right (east) at a stop sign 1.7 miles from SR 58.
Go 33.5 miles east on SR 178 to the intersection of SR 178 and SR 155. This road is scenic as it follows the Kern River, but is very winding.
Alternatively, you can reach the intersection of SR 178 and SR 155 from Walker Pass (please refer to your AAA map). This route is about 20 miles longer from Sylmar, but the road is not as winding and those traveling from the east might find it shorter.
From the intersection of SR 178 and SR 155 in the town of Lake Isabella, go north on SR 155 for 7.0 miles to where SR 155 turns left in the town of Wofford Heights. Turn left.
Go uphill on SR 155 for 7.7 miles to Greenhorn Summit. This is the turnoff for Bohna Peak. Turn right onto 24S15 (dirt). Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 1.2 miles, a fork to the right. Turn right on 25S16.
At 2.8 miles, a fork at a saddle. This is Black mountain Saddle. Park here.

Hiking route

From Black Mountain Saddle (6234′), hike east up a track until it soon disappears.
Continue directly east uphill until you get to the ridge that descends the north side of the peak.
Turn right (south) and continue up the ridge to several rock piles near the summit. The peak is the southernmost rock pile.

Route Notes

Alternate route: Black Mountain #5 can be combined with Split Mountain as a loop trip. Use the route given here for Black Mountain #5 and Route 2 for Split Mountain. Return via Route 1 for Split Mountain.

Printable Route

Road Type

Dirt

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Additional Peak Information

Alternative Route: Black Mountain #5 can be combined with Split Mountain as a loop trip. Use the route given here for Black Mountain #5 and Route 2 for Split Mountain. Return via Route 1 for Split Mountain.

Many groups climb all of the peaks in the area in a two or three day trip. They usually do Bohna and Sunday the first day, Split and Black the second and Cannel Point (delisted in 2008 but still in the HPS archives) the third day. There are good car-camping spots (for example Black Mountain Saddle) and motels in Wofford Heights and Kernville. The drive from Sylmar is about 2.5 hours.