100 Peaks: #6 Black Mountain
Title: Black Mountain
Elevation: 1,552’
Mileage: 7.4 Miles
Trailhead: Nighthawk Trailhead
Agency: Black Mountain Open Space Park
Date Hiked: 11/23/2024
11/23/2024
This run almost didn’t happen thanks to a brutal migraine that had me questioning if I should just stay home. But thankfully, I decided to give it a shot—and the hills and fresh air worked their magic, helping me shake it off.
I ended up summiting the peak not once, but twice. The first was just two miles in, and on a whim, I took a quick detour down the Black Widow Trail before resetting for round two.
This mountain and its surrounding trail network are some of the most challenging and technical in all of San Diego. It’s not just the climbs that demand respect—it’s a place where staying on top of your nutrition and hydration is key to making it through safely.
I kicked off my run at the Nighthawk Trailhead, starting with a steep climb—the same spot where the infamous Black Mountain 50k begins.
I followed the trail until a right turn onto the Black Mountain Service Road, pushing all the way up to the summit.
From the peak, I retraced my steps down the service road before veering onto the slightly hidden Black Widow Trail. This scenic detour led me all the way down to the base of the mountain.
As seen in the video below, I wrapped up by taking the Black Mountain Service Road once more, weaving through over 1,000 feet of elevation gain, before reaching the peak again.
Black Mountain offers a variety of routes to the summit, with options for different distances and levels of challenge.
If you’re aiming to reach the peak as quickly as possible, start at the Nighthawk Trailhead and head straight up—a steep 2-mile climb to the top.
For those craving a bigger adventure, you can follow a route similar to the Black Mountain 50k. This will take you on a tour of all the trails on and around the mountain, covering just over 31 miles with 3,000 feet of elevation gain.
Having completed this hike, I’m not sure when I’ll be back, especially with so many other peaks still on my list. But if you’re local and up for a challenge, Black Mountain is absolutely worth tackling.
