There really isn't much to say about the Black Knolls summit. A non-ranked peak just over the border into Arizona. I had mapped the short trip as an add-on to Starvation point back in December; however, when I didn't make it that day, I kept the temporary file handy for a day just like today.

Martin Luther King holiday weekend. Our local resorts have received no snow in the past 30 days or so, and with attendance expected to be high, I decided to make a short trip to St. George before the next series of snowstorms, which are expected later this week.

A massive staging area and camping sites have sprung up just south of St. George on I-15. It was surprisingly sparse given the long holiday weekend, but I was thankful for the less crowded space. I unloaded my ATV and traveled directly south along the dirt road. Black Rock road turns east and is a maintained gravel road that further services a mining operation down the road. Soon the smaller gravel road I've been traveling reaches a T. To the left is a cattle guard, fence, and gate. To the right is a small hill and the massive steel power poles that deliver power to the St. George area. I drove to the top of the small hill to see if I could spot any other roads taking a more direct approach near the Black Knoll.

Not spotting any other roads close to the Black Knolls, I parked next to the power line and started my hike. The dry grass is brittle, and it is obvious that cattle grazing has occurred in the area. Black lava rocks dot the hillside, and I notice several agate stones mixed in with the lava. I examine a few to determine if they are worth carrying up the mountain and back home for Linda to consider for her Jewelry business, but the rock is plain white and fractured.

Ridge view back along path. ATV parked at base of metal tower (photo center)

The hike is straight forward, following a ridgeline toward the summit. The terrain is steep in places, but the ground is solid, and large lava rock continues to hold back the dirt making for an easy traverse up the hillside. The summit cairn is large and I can't figure out if this small unremarkable peak has been summited by this many people or if it is the work of a single individual.

On the northern face of the large cairn, I find an epitaph of sorts indicating that this individual has spent "55 years of searching. I, an outcast orphan of this religious nation, declare with 99.9% certainty there is no God or is Dead." I felt a couple of things after reading the inscription, which apparently was hand-carved into one of the lava rocks. First, it is unusual to find a declaration of unbelief. Believers often bear testimony, but not so many non-believers. Second, someone spent a lot of time carving this rock or brought a battery-powered Dremel. Third, it's always that 0.1% that can trip you up and make for a horrible day.

Summit view northeast toward Zion National Park

But today is a beautiful day. The wind is picking up, and I dig my sweatshirt out of my backpack. The desert view is stunning, and the clouds diffuse the light enough to make for some stunning pictures. I eat a snack, then walk to the west rise to enjoy the view into Purgatory Canyon. I cut back horizontally along the ridge and hike to the fence line and check out some mining activity in the area. What a fun way to spend the day.