Black Mountain

Starts in Cave Creek; ends in Carefree.

2025-05-07 kingsnake Hiking 0

All the formations south of Black Mountain were easy to pick out: Granite Mountain, Pinnacle Peak, Tom's Thumb, the McDowell Mountains, Camelback, Piestewa Peak, etc.

Arizona has at least six Black Mountains, including two in Pima County. Today’s Black Mountain is in Cave Creek. (Technically, the summit is in Carefree, while the trailhead is in Cave Creek.) This Black Mountain is a straight forward hike, 1.1 miles (one-way) and 1,216 ft. straight up a ridge to the summit.

Looking south at Black Mountain from Military Rd. The trail ascends from the right. It doesn't look that bad ...
Looking south at Black Mountain from Military Rd. The trail ascends from the right. It doesn’t look that bad …

Black Mountain has an official trailhead, but it’s more a series of spaces along Mark Way and Military Road, either side of Schoolhouse Road. There are no amenities. I peed at the Circle K around the corner, while picking up a couple of waters for my hike. (And a fountain drink after.) Supposedly, the parking is packed, but that must be weekends, as on Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. there were plenty of open spaces.

Split left, onto dirt, at the gate.The first .30 miles on Schoolhouse Rd. rise 127 ft., an 8.0% grade. Not too bad. The real estate sign is for a 3 bed, 4 bath, 3700 sq. ft. house on a 4.7 acre lot — for the low, low price of 2.9 million.
Split left, onto dirt, at the gate.The first .30 miles on Schoolhouse Rd. rise 127 ft., an 8.0% grade. Not too bad. The real estate sign is for a 3 bed, 4 bath, 3700 sq. ft. house on a 4.7 acre lot — for the low, low price of 2.9 million. (GoPro Screen Cap)

Out of curiousity, I broke down the remaining Black Mountain grade by tenths of a mile:

  • .40 … 85 ft. … 16.1%
  • .50 … 121 ft. … 22.9%
  • .60 … 156 ft. … 29.6% (lookout)
  • .70 … 140 ft. … 26.5%
  • .80 … 184 ft. … 34.9%
  • .90 … 130 ft. … 24.6%
  • 1.00 … 99 ft. … 18.8%
  • 1.10 … 123 ft. … 23.3% (summit)

Overall, Black Mountain has a 21% grade.

Signs warned about "fragile terrain” which will be there LONG after I am dust. (GoPro Screen Cap)
Signs warned about “fragile terrain” which will be there LONG after I am dust. (GoPro Screen Cap)

I wanted to do it like North Mountain: Slow & steady, no stops. Couldn’t. On the way up Black Mountain, I took two multi-minute sit down breaks. If you count quick breathers and photo ops, it was … ahh … err … sixteen. Yikes! Didn’t realize I was sucking that much wind. 😬

Taking a break at .77 miles. Notice the level horizon. Yes, Black Mountain gets that steep (34.9%).
Taking a break at .77 miles. Notice the level horizon. Yes, Black Mountain gets that steep (34.9%).

Foot traffic was light: Much less than Piestewa Peak. No litter, boomboxes, or perfume. While caching a bottle of water for my descent, I bumped into BobP, from HikeArizona. Only desert flowers were some creosote and ocotillo just below Black Mountain’s summit. Nice view up top. Met a friendly doggo. Saw rock etchings going back as far as 1953.

Looking north across Cave Creek: Elephant Mountain, Black Mesa, Sugarloaf Mountain, Skull Mesa, and Continental Mountain were easy to pick out.
Looking north across Cave Creek: Elephant Mountain, Black Mesa, Sugarloaf Mountain, Skull Mesa, and Continental Mountain were easy to pick out.

I intended to take uphill pointing photos on my way back down, but BobP caught up to me on his second lap, so we ended up chatting instead. 😁

Directions: From the Loop 101 / Pima Freeway in north Phoenix, take exit 28 north onto Cave Creek Rd. In 12.7 miles, in “downtown” Cave Creek, turn right on Schoolhouse Rd. In 250 yds., just after crossing the wash, is Military Rd. / Mark Way. Park either to the left or right in the spaces on the side of Military Rd. Parking is free, but respect homeowner’s frontage.

GPS File: Black_Mountain_Cave_Creek

Distance: 2.40 mi.

AEG: 1,222 ft.

Time: 1h 27m

Rumble Video

Vimeo Video

Hiking Black Mountain, Cave Creek, Arizona from Preston McMurry on Vimeo.