Black Hills Trail

Leaving the County Line Staging Area, you cross a gate and start your moderate ascent along the grassy hills. Homestead Trail is to your right shortly after the gate. Continue straight crossing another trail after two thirds of a mile. You can soon spot the reservoir to the north past the hills. The trail bends northwest and stays level for a short while before continuing the ascent. Reach a T junction with the Valley View Trail at 1.4 miles and turn right. Shortly after, you reach a slightly confusing junction with 5 trails. Take the trail that is mostly directly ahead and continues uphill. Views towards the wind farms in the east open up. The trail bends sharply north at 2 miles and then merges with another trail from the left. A short level stretch offers you far reaching views across the golden hills before you head more steeply uphill again. Stay left and pass Canada Trail. As you enter oak tree forest, the trail descends steeply, eventually reaching the bottom at a creek and a small seasonal pond. From here it is a strenuous ascent on the top of the ridge for about a mile. Cross several side trails on this exposed section. The trail turns north at 4.6 miles and passes through another oak tree valley before turning east and reaching its highest point. It is slightly downhill now until you reach Upper Whipsnake Loop Trail and the end of this trail.