Black's Beach!
How high is the cliff?
It's commonly quoted as being 300 Feet vertically. That is to get from the beach to the parking lot. The trail has a lot of switch-backs and is mostly loose dirt. You have some improvements toward the top so it's easier to negotiate.
Of course you should! The problem is that too many people think they have to make that trek back up the trail from the beach, in one continuous climb/hike. STOP, take a breather, drink water, catch your breath and then continue on for a little while longer. REPEAT AS NECESSARY!It takes us a little over twice as long to get back up as it does to get down. Take it slow and rest often ... going back up!;-)
I did go back! I did take rests, I went slower and it was much easier this time! Loved it!
Black's Beach is a gem. Access from the "top" may be either difficult or impossible for some, but as long as you're willing to walk, you can access Black's from Torrey Pines State Park. Just park where ok to do so, head south. You'll get there!
It's avery long walk and I don't believe you can get past flat iron rock at high tide. If you get to the beach and remain there while the tide rises, you might be stuck there for another 6 hours. I believe you have the same situation coming from the south. We often came in from the south but a landslide blocked the access. Eventually the waves washed out the landslide and we could get by again.
The ranger's road is a little easier, but it's a longer trip, and puts you nowhere near parking, but reasonably close to the bus stop.Once upon a time, I walked south to La Jolla, but that was 20 years ago, I don't know if that's at all accessible anymore (and I'm pretty sure there was some wading involved)
Several naturist groups, including one that I'm part of is going to Blacks Beach this coming Saturday (28th), It would be great to meet some new friends there. If anyone has the day free, I highly suggest you go! :) Lets just hope the weather is good.
I was at blacks during the golf tournament and the tide was hard to get past from the state preserve. You had to wait for a pause in the tide to get past some sections. Last time I went south it was clear all the way to Scripps peer but that was in Feb. of last year. There is a spot near the peer where water (from where I do not know) flows into the ocean and you may get you shoes soaked but other than that it's a matter of finding a finding a place to park and committing to a long walk.
Has anyone ever tried parking at La Jolla Shores park and walking north?
I will be visiting San Diego the weekend of April 10. I'd love to visit Blacks Beach, but I'm concerned about the accessibility issues. I have rheumatoid arthritis. I've had both knees and one hip replaced. I can walk, obviously, but I'm not good for long distances and difficult terrain.
I was told recently that they have put in some basic wooden planks to create almost a stair-like trek up and down the cliff. But, still not sure i can do that. I'd hate to get all the way out there (my friend is going just because it's something I want to do) and then find I can't make the final approach.
And the approach from the north is a long walk, right? I can do about half a mile on level ground before I need to break for a while.
Ahh, the challenges of just wanting to be naturale outdoors....
I visited Blacks for the first time last summer. In fact my main profile pic was taken there. It was great, but the hike out was like the Batan Death March. Was really encouraging to see the young surfer types flying up the trail carrying their boards while I stopped to breath. LOL
There are 4 ways to access the Blacks Beach. At low tide you
can walk from Torrey Pines State Beach south to Blacks. There are two trails
that go down the cliffs. There is the glider port trail which has been worked
allot but is showing some signs of wear. The other trail is in the far north of
the parking lot and is steeper and slipperier but to me easier if you just
makes some stops on the way up with water. There is a road at the south end
that the lifeguards use that is paved and you have to park in a residential
area. Once on the beach you will need to walk a half mile north to the nudist beach
section marked by orange cones.
We primarily used the paved emergency vehicle access route. It was solid footing all the way down. It was then easy walking to the nude beach but when there was a landslide we were blocked at high tide. Eventually the slide washed out and the walk became easy again. Walking back up the road, however, was still a rough climb. You still have to be in fairly good condition to make the walk back up. Be advised of this fact if you plan to use this route.
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