Silver Peak
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
Silver Peak sits atop Blackhawk Mountain on the northeastern edge of the San Bernardino Mountains. A party of Texans first found silver on the South slope of this peak (1873). This resulted in the short-lived Arlington Mining District and its many colorful characters, such as “Cactus Jim” Johnson, who carved out a wagon road on nearby “Johnson’s Grade”. He is buried at Cactus Flat, near the trailhead for Route 2. This peak may once have been known to the Cahuilla Indians as Makaveat. The peak offers extensive views of the Granite Peaks Wilderness to the south, and panoramic views of the Mojave Desert.
Route 1 offers an interesting ramble up a canyon and ridge through remnants of the mountain’s nineteenth century mining history, with mineshafts, ore carts, an old truck and other mining paraphernalia aplenty. Route 2 is a high-clearance vehicle drive-up to the summit.
Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission
Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides
Driving route
Drive east on I-10 to I-215.
Drive north on I-215 to SR 210.
Drive east on SR 210 to SR 330.
Drive north on SR 330 to SR 18 at the town of Running Springs.
Drive east on SR 18 to the dam at Big Bear Lake. Turn left on SR 38.
Drive on SR 38 to Fawnskin.
Continue east on SR 38 for 6.5 miles to the junction of SR 38 and SR 18, north of Big Bear City.
Drive east on SR 18 for 7.5 miles to a dirt road 3N62 on the right. This is at mile marker 62.00. There is a pullout with ample parking along the highway. High clearance vehicles can turn right (east) onto the dirt road and drive in (following the hiking directions) a short distance and park.
Hiking route
From the parking area (5800′), hike east along the dirt road 0.3 mile to a fork.
Keep left (north) for 0.2 mile along the road to a parking area, and then farther along the dirt road down into a gully.
Here turn left and hike up the gully to its end at a dirt road.
Turn right (east) and follow the road to its end at a large graded area.
Turn north up a canyon, approximately following cables to the top of the ridge.
Follow the spur ridge up to the main ridge where there is a dirt road.
Turn right (east) and follow the road up to the summit, which is at the east end of the ridge, and is a hole in the ground.
Additional Peak Information
Historical notes: Cactus Jim Johnston, builder of “Johnston’s Grade” (SR 18 between Lucerne Valley and Baldwin Lake), selected his burial site and is buried at Cactus Flat.
External Links
Nearby Peaks
External Links
Peakbagger.com
Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
Google Earth
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