Sooz spinning light sticks that we had setup by the road to mark the campsite for Cori and Tom.

Our campsite just off the Mesquite Canyon Road the next morning.

Another view of the campsite from a nearby hilltop.

Following Sooz and Cori up Mesquite Canyon Road. Tom is further up ahead.

Almost to the spot from where we'll start the hike to Black Mountain.

Sooz, Joe(me), Cori and Tom. This is where our hike to Black Mountain starts.

Cori and Sooz a short way into the hike.

After hiking about half a mile we came upon an old gravesite.

Cori

Looking back at the starting point of the hike which is in the center of the photo.

Sooz with a view to the north.

Hiking again after taking a short break.

Black Mountain (peak on the right) comes into view.

View to the east.

One of the group of three Blackhawks that flew by.

This last section that leads to the peak was the steepest part of the hike.

Sooz, Cori and Tom on the peak.

Group shot on Black Mountain (aka El Paso Mt) at 5,244 feet.

The peak is marked as El Paso.

Looking to the southeast towards where our vehicles are parked.

Zoom in our vehicles.

Tom and Cori on the summit.

The town of Inyokern to the north.

Ridgecrest to the northeast.

View to the southwest.

Looking towards the northwest at Owens Peak in the distance.

Zoomed in on Owens Peak.

Starting down off the peak.

Sooz hiking down the steep section just off the peak.

This was a fairly easy hike for it being XC. Most of it was over smooth terrain with only a few areas we had to go over lava rocks.

Looking back at Black Mountain.

Cori checking out the view.

Nice looking yellow rocks as we near the end of the hike.

Back at the vehicles.

After the hike we decided to visit the Burro Schmidt Tunnel that was nearby.

Cabins at the Burro Schmidt site.

This magazine was in one of the cabins. The inside of the cabins were a mess.

Cori and Sooz reading the plaque at the tunnel's entrance.

Looking into the 1,872 foot long tunnel that Burro Schmidt dug.

Cori and Sooz in the tunnel.

Looking out.

Tom coming out of the tunnel. Wish we had time to hike through to the other side, but it's getting late and time to head to the campsite.

Driving to Colorado Camp where we'll spend the night. Tomorrow we'll hike to the top of Red Mountain.

Topo map showing the route we used for Black Mountain.

THE END