Black Mountain
Description
WikipediaBlack Mountain is a 13,291-foot-elevation (4,051-meter) mountain summit located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in northern California. It is situated on the common border of Fresno County with Inyo County, as well as the shared boundary of John Muir Wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park. It is 10.5 miles (16.9 km) west of the community of Independence, and 4.3 miles (6.9 km) north-northwest of parent University Peak. Black Mountain ranks as the 91st highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 2,750 feet (840 meters) above Rae Lakes in approximately one mile. The John Muir Trail traverses below the west aspect of this peak, providing an approach to the mountain. The first ascent of the summit was made in 1905 by George R. Davis, a USGS topographer. This mountain is habitat for the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, which restricts climbing from July through December, so most ascents are made in the spring.
First ascent
Best months
Hiking score 0–100 · 10-yr climate averagesNeighbouring summits
| Name | Elevation | Bearing | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Mary Austin | 3,958 m | NE 64° | 1.5 km |
| Dragon Tooth | 3,804 m | S 171° | 1.8 km |
| Dragon Peak | 3,931 m | S 175° | 2.1 km |
| Diamond Peak | 4,004 m | NW 331° | 2.2 km |
| Painted Lady | 3,688 m | SW 227° | 2.6 km |
| Falcor Peak | 3,910 m | SW 204° | 3.0 km |
Climbing routes
nearest first| Route | Area | Grade | From summit |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Ridge via South Chute | Dragon Peak | 1- | 2.0 km |
| North Arete of the Painted Lady | Painted Lady | 6a | 2.6 km |
| East Face - Right | Mt. Gould | 1- | 3.3 km |
| South Ridge | Mt. Gould | 1- | 3.3 km |
| Direct East Face | Nameless Pyramid | 6b | 4.7 km |
| Northeast Buttress | Mount Cotter | 4a | 5.8 km |
| East Ridge Indirect | Mt. Clarence King | 5a | 6.7 km |
| East Face - Ramp Route | Mt. Clarence King | 5b | 6.7 km |
| North East Ridge (full) | Mt. Clarence King | 5a | 6.7 km |
| West face - South Ridge | Independence Peak | 1- | 6.7 km |
| North Ridge | Independence Peak | 1 | 6.7 km |
| South Slope to Southeast Ridge | Mt. Gardiner | 1 | 7.3 km |
| The Golden Bear Tower - Polemonium | Mt. Gardiner | 6a | 7.3 km |
| Ikigai | Bubbs Creek Wall | 7a+ | 9.4 km |
| What's Up Bubb? | Bubbs Creek Wall | 7b | 9.4 km |
| The Emperor | Bubbs Creek Wall | 7a+ | 9.4 km |
| Samurai Warrior - Ronan | Bubbs Creek Wall | 7a+ | 9.4 km |
| The Epic-cureans | Charlotte Dome | 5a | 9.6 km |
| South Face | Charlotte Dome | 5b | 9.6 km |
| South West Arete | Charlotte Dome | 5b | 9.6 km |