My original plan for today was an easy 5-mile hike - Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail, but knowing from the reviews that the parking lot at the trailhead was nonexistent and the crowds rather serious, I decided to give Black Mountain Trail a chance.
I checked out from the AirBnb and drove about 10 minutes to the small parking lot right off the main road. I anticipated it to be filled with people, but when I arrived, there was only one car there. I wondered why...
I am not always comfortable hiking alone, especially in forests with bears and mountain lions. At the same time, I made a conscious decision to not let fear stop me from doing what I want or waiting for someone to accompany me. I was hiking this trail.
From Alltrails app, I knew that it was going to be a butt-kicker. A bit over 8 miles with 2,800 ft elevation gain, this trail did not intimidate me too much since I have already adjusted to the elevation in Idyllwild. It started out with immediate elevation gain, and it was getting hot. Bugs... So many little annoying bugs that I have previously encountered on another trail. My head net was a must there.
I encountered the couple whose car was the first in the parking lot coming down. I have no idea when they started or whether they just decided to turn around, but both were sweaty and in awe of my head net. Heck yes! I am an experienced hiker!
I continued hiking in the middle of the woods. This trail is pretty overgrown in spots, so I was glad to be wearing my usual long hiking pants. It was so quiet, rather eerie actually. I listened to my podcasts that I downloaded before leaving.
The views were not as accessible as on other trails I hiked in Idyllwild, but you could peak through the tall trees at high points.
About half way, I was really getting tired, and the trail became more and more overgrown. I struggled to continue and decided to turn around. I hiked back a few hundred feet, looked at my Alltrails tracking and realized that I would regret not having completed this trail. I turned around yet again to continue.
The trail persisted uphill. It was me and bugs surrounded by pine trees. I approached the last part of the trail where I would turn right instead of following the map, a steep shortcut. I lost the trail a few times, but the app was leading me to the right direction. Finally, I saw the fire watch tower. What a beautiful sight!
There were two park rangers (volunteers) on the top, so because of social distancing guidelines I was not allowed to go up there, but the views were incredible even from where I was.
I chatted with the volunteer for a few minutes, took my usual 15 minute break and headed down. I really wanted to take a shower at that point, so I descended averaging 20 minutes per mile. My knees let me know that it was not a good idea, but they forgave me in the end.
I finished the hike in 3 hours and 43 minutes with moving time of 3 hours and 21 minute. The total distance was 7.7 miles with 2,694 ft elevation gain. Now that's one hell of exercise!
I checked out from the AirBnb and drove about 10 minutes to the small parking lot right off the main road. I anticipated it to be filled with people, but when I arrived, there was only one car there. I wondered why...
I am not always comfortable hiking alone, especially in forests with bears and mountain lions. At the same time, I made a conscious decision to not let fear stop me from doing what I want or waiting for someone to accompany me. I was hiking this trail.
From Alltrails app, I knew that it was going to be a butt-kicker. A bit over 8 miles with 2,800 ft elevation gain, this trail did not intimidate me too much since I have already adjusted to the elevation in Idyllwild. It started out with immediate elevation gain, and it was getting hot. Bugs... So many little annoying bugs that I have previously encountered on another trail. My head net was a must there.
I encountered the couple whose car was the first in the parking lot coming down. I have no idea when they started or whether they just decided to turn around, but both were sweaty and in awe of my head net. Heck yes! I am an experienced hiker!
I continued hiking in the middle of the woods. This trail is pretty overgrown in spots, so I was glad to be wearing my usual long hiking pants. It was so quiet, rather eerie actually. I listened to my podcasts that I downloaded before leaving.
The views were not as accessible as on other trails I hiked in Idyllwild, but you could peak through the tall trees at high points.
About half way, I was really getting tired, and the trail became more and more overgrown. I struggled to continue and decided to turn around. I hiked back a few hundred feet, looked at my Alltrails tracking and realized that I would regret not having completed this trail. I turned around yet again to continue.
The trail persisted uphill. It was me and bugs surrounded by pine trees. I approached the last part of the trail where I would turn right instead of following the map, a steep shortcut. I lost the trail a few times, but the app was leading me to the right direction. Finally, I saw the fire watch tower. What a beautiful sight!
There were two park rangers (volunteers) on the top, so because of social distancing guidelines I was not allowed to go up there, but the views were incredible even from where I was.
I chatted with the volunteer for a few minutes, took my usual 15 minute break and headed down. I really wanted to take a shower at that point, so I descended averaging 20 minutes per mile. My knees let me know that it was not a good idea, but they forgave me in the end.
I finished the hike in 3 hours and 43 minutes with moving time of 3 hours and 21 minute. The total distance was 7.7 miles with 2,694 ft elevation gain. Now that's one hell of exercise!
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