Black Mountain is located in central Utah, within the Sevier Plateau, not far from Bryce Canyon National Park, just east of the town of Panguitch. This is red rock country, but the summit area of Black Mountain is a darker colored basalt.

I was on a road trip, and Black Mountain looked like a great leg-stretcher hike. There were a couple other cars at the Losee Canyon trailhead when I arrived, but I didn’t see anyone during the hike. I headed south from the trailhead, and followed a wash for about a half mile, before heading uphill to the west to reach a ridge.

Once on the ridge, I followed it south toward the summit, through some trees and brush, and then to the highpoint. Views to the west and north were good, and I enjoyed a quick snack break before heading down.

On the way back, I thought it would be cool to make a loop. Unfortunately, brush on and around the summit made for slow going, until I eventually escaped it a after a half mile of bushwhacking. Once below the brush, the terrain was more interesting, and I took my time the rest of the hike back to the car, enjoying the views along the way.

Round trip was just under 3 miles round trip, with 800’ of elevation gain, in 90 minutes of hiking. It was a pretty hike in a new area, just what I was looking for.

Map of the route, just under 3 miles and 800' elevation gain round trip.	Hiking north up the wash.	On the ridge heading toward Black Mountain.	View northeast from the ridge.	View northwest from the summit of Black Mountain.
Map of the route, just under 3 miles and 800' elevation gain round trip.Hiking north up the wash.On the ridge heading toward Black Mountain.View northeast from the ridge.View northwest from the summit of Black Mountain.