Black Mountain 6363

Located east of California City in the Mojave Desert, BM6363 follows the northern edge of the Gravel Hills. The trail initially consists of soft sand with its share of desert moguls but swiftly transforms into a rocky and steep track over the eastern end of the Gravel Hills. The views from the tops of the Gravel Hills are expansive, revealing the surrounding desert and its several dry lake beds. This Up and Back trail is fenced off at its western end to prevent access into a Wildlands Habitat Conservation Area.

The trail passes through a checkerboard of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and privately owned land. Dispersed camping can be enjoyed when on BLM property and meeting the BLM Camping Guidelines. Along the way, there are plentiful flat sandy locations for dispersed camping and at least one pre-disturbed site near the trail with an existing rock fire ring.

During high fire danger, campfires may be restricted, and if planning to camp here, one should review the current BLM Campfire Restrictions and have a Campfire Permit.

BM6363 can be intimidating when tackling the steep hills and uncomfortable off-cambers, which can reach up to twenty degrees. This trail requires a high clearance four-wheel drive, and four-low may be necessary on the steep hills.