"This track is for a canyoneering route…Epinephrine Error. The approach from Mt Springs can be used to summit the 4 peaks, but DONOT use the descent route unless you have the proper canyoneering gear and are advanced with it. " — Heartattackbruce • Apr 11, 2026

"3.12.26~ Black Velvet’s 2 Peaks & Mountain Springs Peak~7 miles, 2,600’ gain in 4:29hrs. A late start of 12:50pm. I did these 10 years ago guided by Harlan along with Jim M. It’s creepy and somewhat terrifying so over the years I meant to come out and try them alone. Every time I intend to, I let myself off the hook, lose my nerve and do another peak in the area that’s familiar, not wanting the burden of being afraid. On a try 2 years ago, a bird started dive-bombing me and made it too tense for me to keep going. I only had one navigation issue today when I followed some cairns downhill below the rabbit hole area. I optimistically thought it would bypass rabbit hole and all the scary shit beyond that but the cairns went away and it narrowed & kept going too far down. Dejected, I climbed back up to face reality.. Luckily today I was in the mood to deal with some fear. There was a lot of scrambling and the climb back up to the escarpment was never ending & brutal but my energy was stoked by the accomplishment. It was warm with nice breezes here and there. " — paula.raimondi • Mar 12, 2026

"Started at mountain springs, following the normal trail until I found a use trail out toward sandstone. I lost track of the cairns for a bit on the way out until I saw some heading down and to the south. I thought they might just be skirting around the first minor peak in the ridge, but they turned out to head down into mud spring canyon. When I realized this I saw a possible route up a brushy gully so that I wouldn't have to backtrack. It worked, but I wouldn't recommend it. On the way back I followed a more normal route that kept closer to the ridge line. When I got back to where I had first gotten confused I realized the issue- there's a fun rabbit hole that I just hadn't noticed before. At least I got to use it once. " — kbrack • May 18, 2025

"Pretty fun route ! Right after the crack there is a little section which I thought was the hardest . Nothing really too difficult though. Solid class 3. Sandstone section was a lot of fun. A nice trail led all the way to that sandstone too which was pleasant . Windy peak would be super easy to add to this but I ran out of daylight as I didn’t start this until like 2. Word on the street is there was two registers on black velvet one at each summit I only found the one on the lower peak" — joshortman • Nov 27, 2022

"I have been up Black Velvet at least 20x, by 4 different routes. My most memorable trip was with Barb in 2015, for her 65th birthday. We went up Monument from the east, rapped down to Hidden, over Mountain Springs Peak, and came back out over Black Velvet." — hwstock • Nov 21, 2021

"Well it took me 3 attempts but I finally made it to the top of Black Velvet Peak! There is some SERIOUS exposure on this hike. If you are afraid of heights at all, I wouldn't recommend this doozy of a hike! The views at the top are amazing though and there is a north summit which is shorter than Black Velvet Peak proper. From the north summit you can look down into Black Velvet Canyon. I'm not sure what the vertical drop is but it's awe inspiring!" — LukeyPukey • Jul 27, 2020

"Barb and Judy took me up the canyon route for the 1st time since 2001 (I have been up many other times by different routes). Also hit Whistkey Pk on way down. https://hwstock.org/BV19/" — hwstock • Apr 21, 2019

"Harlan led Jim and I up to Black Velvet peak and false peak from Mtn Springs. It was the Most amazing route and it gave me great confidence for my quest to climb Bridge Mtn. The exposure and views were creepy and spectacular. It was the Most technical and exposed route to a peak I've done so far. He used safety ropes in a couple of spots and storms were threatening but never became an issue. Amazing Day. " — paula.raimondi • May 26, 2016

"Loop that included Veterans, Monument, Hidden, Mountains Springs, Black Velvet, and Whiskey Peaks. With Bob. The peak shown on the map is the higher peak and not the normally considered Black Velvet Peak that is above the wall." — tombecht • Mar 27, 2016

"Started before sunrise from Mountain Springs. Didn't run up, but made good time on the way up. Due to a lack of sleep, the way back was much slower, until the energy chews kicked in." — Kevin • Sep 15, 2013