11S04 Black Mountain

11S04 Black Mountain is a 10.8-mile out-and-back located in the Cleveland National Forest, Palomar Ranger District. This is a limited-use trail restricted to street-legal vehicles. The trail is rated 3 of 10 but has the potential to be worse during and right after seasonal weather and is subject to closure by the NFS to prevent trail damage. The trail is located within a National Forest, so an Adventure Pass is required to park for any extended time. Black Mountain is the most prominent mountain in the area and provides panoramic views of the surrounding area. This is a truck trail which means it was built to get fire equipment into the mountainous area in the event of fire. Starting from the intersection with 12S07, the trail passes near the Organ Valley Research Natural Area. This 500+-acre study area was set aside to learn more about Engelmann oaks, which are abundant here but relatively rare elsewhere. Black Mountain is so named because of the black or dark gabbro rocks that are found here. As the trail ascends, it will narrow with a single-lane shelf road at times with a steep drop on one side or the other. At a little over 4.5 miles, the trail will come into a wide parking area with a fence at the end. This is the boundary of the National Forest. That last three-quarters of a mile to the top may be gated by the NFS. It is open most of the summer but tends to be closed in the spring and fall due to seasonal weather. Cell phone service is intermittent. The nearest services are located in Ramona.