10.1 miles
Distance
1,381 ft
Climb
-1,407 ft
Descent
1,246 ft
High Point

Adaptive Riders, this route is rated aMTB3. You will need a support rider. Consult POIs for info on gates. Suspension, clearance, and rear-wheel-drive highly recommended.

This route is intended for adaptive riders, but anyone can do it of course. It bypasses Lilac Trail , which has significant narrow off-camber exposure, goes clockwise on Manzanita Loop , and goes down the west side of Miners Ridge Loop. The route becomes aMTB2 if you negate Manzanita Loop. Equipment capability (suspension, clearance, and rear-wheel-drive) and practice will determine if you can ride the west side of Miners Ridge Loop solo. Avoid the east side of Miners Ridge Loop. It requires major assistance to get through. Highly recommended to add in a loop on Black Widow.

source: The UNPavement
Detailed Description
aMTB3 Black Mountain Loop is a 10 mile popular intermediate route located near Black Mountain California. This mountain bike primary route can be used one direction and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 14 trails. This route climbs 1,381 ft with a max elevation of 1,246 ft then descends -1,407 ft.
Local Trail Association
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San Diego Mountain Biking Association (sdmba.com)
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13 Reviews & Comments

  • + 0
evanrls (2 days ago)
Trail Miner's Loop Connector
Miners could use a little love. There are some deep ruts from the big January rain. Totally rideable but some sections where it gets a little sketchy.
[Reply]
  • + 0
C4SEM4N (Jul 31, 2022 at 11:15)
Trail Miner's Loop Connector
No fun.
[Reply]
  • + 2
marvinstorey (Feb 20, 2022 at 20:33)
Trail Manzanita Loop
One of the better loops on black. No pushing your bike up. Just intermediate terrain. Don’t listen to the technical comments too much. Any intermediate rider would enjoy this and have little problem.
[Reply]
  • + 2
coachzed (Dec 13, 2021 at 9:20)
Trail Manzanita Loop
One of the better trails on Black Mountain. Singletrack with some short, punchy climbs and descents. A few sections of chunk that give it some challenge, but a significantly easier trail than Miners Ridge.

Most of the trail has limited visibility and is two-way and mixed use with hikers. Please use your bell.
[Reply]
  • + 1
BenLow2019 (May 8, 2021 at 15:14)
Trail Wheelie Drop
Steep climb!
[Reply]
  • + 1
BenLow2019 (May 8, 2021 at 14:56)
Trail Demaca Drop
Best ridden east to west - down hill.
[Reply]
  • + 1
BenLow2019 (May 8, 2021 at 14:49)
Trail Sundevil Slinky
Kinda steep for a green trail.
[Reply]
  • + 2
NFLPhD (Oct 26, 2020 at 22:29)
Trail Danger is My Buisness
Fun downhill. Also makeable uphill. Takes you from BMH Connector to manzanita loop or little black loop. Or can take you the Miners loop connector or up to the nighthawk trail up to the fire road to Black widow or the summit.
[Reply]
  • + 0
cosborne74 (Aug 1, 2020 at 14:49)
Trail Manzanita Loop
I give this trail a 5/10. Very little real flow. The technical spots could be fun but they just end up being pedal strike zones given the inability to keep any real momentum or flow going into them. A few fun sections. To be honest, the trails going to and from the loop are more fun.
[Reply]
  • + 3
NFLPhD (Jul 19, 2020 at 19:34)
Trail Manzanita Loop
Very fun trail with a few challenging technical sections. Nothing too technical but a few of the sections will definitely challenge most intermediate riders to get through sections without having to put your foot down... Some great views too. Seems to be very popular with the regulars... Most people I have met like to ride counter clockwise... There is a bike pump and bike tool station not far from the trail head.
[Reply]
  • + 1
budgetmtb (Feb 18, 2020 at 16:14)
Trail Demaca-Nighthawk Connector
fast and smooth
[Reply]
  • + 0
TallChuck (Dec 21, 2019 at 18:34)
Trail Demaca-Nighthawk Connector
Surprisingly fun to ride downhill
[Reply]
  • + 1
Jnunez (Mar 31, 2018 at 15:14)
Trail Miner's Loop Connector
Suuuuper loose
[Reply]
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Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
    Black Mountain
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Other Activities
    • E-Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Blue
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes
  • Bike type
    DH, AM, XC, Fat, Adaptive MTB
  • Direction
    One Direction
  • Physical rating
    Moderate
More Stats for aMTB3 Black Mountain Loop mountain bike route
  • Altitude min
    604 ft
  • Altitude start
    747 ft
  • Altitude end
    722 ft
  • Grade
    -0%
  • Grade max
    -45.4%
  • Grade min
    57.3%
  • Distance climb
    5 miles
  • Distance down
    4 miles
  • Distance flat
    1 mile
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Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Maler Dirt Climb
Feb 3, 2023 @ 11:05am
2 days
Almost all dry now
Miner's Loop Connector
Feb 3, 2023 @ 3:05am
2 days
Manzanita Loop
Feb 3, 2023 @ 3:05am
2 days
Almost all dry now
Demaca Drop
Jan 21, 2023 @ 1:02am
Jan 21, 2023
Danger is My Buisness
Jan 21, 2023 @ 1:02am
Jan 21, 2023
Lots of loose rocks due to the recent rains
more reports »
  • By jpmcghee Trailforks & contributors
  • #17171 - 640 views