Getting started at 1800' elevation along the North Fork of the Clearwater River.
Canyon Work Center just across the road is a USFS facility. Thee are several buildings out of view in this photo from the beginning of the trail.
Lots of these lower down.
The hike began in a cloud but we knew sun was higher up.
Almost to the sunshine.
After a few thousand feet of climbing we finally got above the cloud layer. We also were under drippy forest with falling tree bombs of snow that had occurred the night before. The warm sun felt good and made getting wet at least tolerable.
Above the cloud layer. By afternoon all of this had burned off.
Looking south over the valley of the North Fork.
Black Mtn Trail. Some snow started to appear at about 5500.'
Beautiful hemlocks higher up on the trail.
7 miles in and a bit more to go.
Approaching the last junction to the lookout.
Clearing up nicely just below the summit.
Getting there..
A faint trail heads out to West Sister, a satellite peak of Black.
Finally at the lookout after 8.1 miles and a vertical mile of hiking.
East Sister, 7043' is the second highest point in The Mallard-Larkins.
The Nub, 6934' is the third highest peak in the area. It's possible to do a loop up Black and down The Nub via Black Lake. The Nub Trail is shorter and steeper than The Black Mtn Trail.
Black Mountain Lookout, 7077,' locked up tight for the winter. This lookout is still staffed in summer.
The nub of The Nub.
Lookout view west.
Peaks of The Mallard-Larkins Pioneer Area. This has been a proposed wilderness for decades but no dice.
Black Lake below. A trail passes by here on the way to The Nub.
Mallard Peak with its historic lookout.
Snow Peak Lookout to the north.
Larkins Peak.
Black Mountain Lookout.
A loo with a view.
Mallard Peak, 6870.'
West Sister. This is a satellite peak of Black Mtn.
Pot Mountain, 7139,' is the highest peak in the center.
Bigger than a basketball.
We spent little time on top as wet boots and damp clothing forced us to get moving as a chill set in. The miles went quickly as this trail has one of the easiest grades possible.
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