Near Black Mountain Lookout
Looking Northeast towards Steamboat Rock from the Summit of Black Mountain.
Near Black Mountain Lookout
Looking Northeast towards Steamboat Rock from the Summit of Black Mountain. The old lookout still remains today providing hiders with a convenient place to rest at the end of the hike.
Near Black Mountain Lookout
Looking South towards Granite Pass, Lookout Mountain, and a smokey Cloud Peak Wilderness.

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Hike Route

Black Mountain Lookout

5.0 (4 Ratings)
Black Mountain Lookout is a historic landmark with plenty of scenic 360 degree views along the way.
3.9
mi
Distance
1,132
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
BirdingCommonly BackpackedSpringViewsWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
3.87mi
Distance
1,132ft
Elevation Gain
1,132ft
Elevation Loss
50%
Max Grade
9,482ft
High Point
8,353ft
Low Point
Path Type
There and Back
Description
There are a few ways to do this hike. You can start right from Forest Road #16 and take the long way, or, use an ATV/UTV and go as far up the road as you can to shorten the hike significantly if you're on a time crunch. 90% of the route is hiking through a thick forest, but once you reach the summit the views are astonishing. The old fire lookout cabin has a deck that you can wonder around and sits at 9,400 feet. One of the tallest peaks on the east face of the Bighorn Mountains with views of Cloud Peak, Black Tooth, and Steamboat Rock.Black Mountain is one of the tallest peaks north of the Cloud Peak Wilderness making it stand out significantly from the highway. To the south, you'll observe the peaks of Black Tooth, Mt. Woolsey, and Cloud Peak, all of which stand over 13,000 feet. Looking west, you'll find several lakes, Granite Pass, and the Bighorn high country. North of Black Mountain sits Tongue River Canyon, Steamboat Point, and the Bighorn Scenic Byway. Eastward, you can see for hundreds of miles (if it's not fire season) towards the City of Sheridan and the rest of the Wyoming lowlands.
History & Background
Used to be an old fire lookout during the 20th Century.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Jeffrey Shanor