Black Diamond Hiking Trail Near Oakhurst — Attraction in Clayton

Black Diamond Mines is an amazing place to mountain bike. In my 30 years of mountain cycling, I have encountered some amazing wildlife, especially if you can get up there early. Now, the park doesn't officially open until 8 AM, but it takes a half hour of riding (for a slow 47-year-old) before you get to the park boundary at the top of a steep fire road. Every fire trail in the entire park presents steep climbing challenges, 12% grade and up.

Some of the wildlife I've had close encounters with are turkeys (of course), eagles, hawks, osprey, deer, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, rattle snakes, and mountain lions. Yes, I was fortunate enough to encounter a young mountain lion at the top of the Black Diamond Trail on the paved road that leads up to the peak where the communication towers are located. If that's still his/her territory, he/she will be an adult.

In order to go that far on the paved road, you will have to climb a gate marking the park boundary, but I'm unsure if it's trespassing. Regardless, I saw the same mountain lion on 2 different occassions, just after 8 AM, near the top of that peak.

That was 5 or 6 years ago and I have not encounteted a mountain lion since. I highly recommend this trail for hearty hikers and savage cyclists. Get up and back before 10AM to avoid brutal heat and flies, (they love all the bovine and their feces), in the summertime and brutal wind in...

Nice climb from Clayton all the way into Black Diamond Mines Park. Hike as an out and back on the same dirt road. All up hill from Clayton side. About 6 or 7 parking spaces at trail head. Dogs okay off leash except at parking lot but beware our dog always picks up a bunch of small round sharp stickers that we have to stop and pull out 3 or 4 times during the hike....

A great regional park to go hiking in. Most of the trail loops have a steep hill or two along the way, but there are some flat in and out paths. There are great views from up on top, and nice rolling grassy hills throughout. The wild flowers were just starting to bloom, and I plan to go back in a week or two. Caution: muddy possibly washed out trails...