Park Peak Loop Trail #403 (Sloan Canyon Trail)

Park Peak is a small mountain due south of the Shadow Canyon Trailhead that offers all of the fun of Black Mountain summit at a more manageable elevation. The full loop is about 5.7 miles total back to the parking lot and starts at the Shadow Canyon Trailhead. Follow the paved path to the pump house and then take the switchback trail to the south of the pump house. Once at the top of the hill, look southwest across the power line road to pick up the trail and follow it up and over the hill to where the trail forks. There are a good number of mature Joshua trees present on this part of the hike and they offer some bits of shade and unearthly beauty. Alternatively, you can take the Black Mountain Access Trail #404 to the 402 cutoff which ends at the 403 fork. From the fork, the trail loops around the mountain base and climbs steeply to the top of the mountain via numerous switchbacks, and at the very end, some rock scrambling. At the top, you'll find a Geocache and a US flag. Soak in the views and then plan your descent. While the trails up to the top are well-marked, from the top it can be hard to find the trail again, so use caution around the rocks while you get your bearings and plan your route. After descending, take the 403 (or 402 to the 404) back to the pump house and the parking lot.