California · Hiking · Mokelumne Wilderness · Near Bear Valley

Black Rock

2.2 mi
round trip
241 ft
climb
8,249 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Black Rock open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Eldorado National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Eldorado National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Black Rock is an easy out-and-back hike in California's Mokelumne Wilderness, within the Amador Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest. The trail is about 2.2 miles long, with a one-way elevation gain of 241 feet, and it rises from a low point of about 8,000 feet to a high of about 8,250 feet. The route is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dagget Pass, Nevada, show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F and only about one or two wet days a month. That station sits roughly 900 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. Cole Creeks Lakes and Munson Meadow Trail both lie about 0.2 miles away. Shriner Lake Campground and the Old Camp Bluff climbing area are each about 6 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Camp Irene

    Campground

    Campground · 3.8 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Alpine County Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 18 mi from Bear Valley

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Bear Valley

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Black Rock

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      36° / 23°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 23°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 26°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 29°

      5 wet

    5. May

      56° / 35°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 42°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 49°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 36°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 28°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 23°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dagget Pass, NV, 28.9 mi away at 7,334 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Fire Restrictions are in Effect Forest Wide

      Eldorado National Forest · Order dated September 22, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Nov 2, 2026 · Forest Service

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