Stewartville Backpacking Campsite

Very pleasant. Pretty isolated. There were cows and turkeys nearby. There’s an outhouse that even had toilet paper. There’s water but it should be treated or boiled. It’s a few miles to get to it. There might be a way to avoid the hills but we didn’t find it.

Peaceful and remote. Pretty much had the place all to myself and enjoyed the easy access to water (be sure to pre-treat it though!)

Black Diamond has been in my hiking rotation for years, but I had never backpacked it. Trail karma provided the perfect day: sunny, mildly warm, clear conditions, fresh air. I had seen the forecast, so, not expecting any precipitation, I skipped the tent and decided to cowboy camp. Hiking in on Railroad Bed, Stewartville and Miner's Trails took just under an hour. In camp, several Acorn Woodpeckers kept me company until I bedded down. Usually against my own rules, I brought along some paperwork and actually accomplished some prep for a weekend WFA class I was teaching. It was that peaceful! Overnight, the stars winked at me flirtatiuously while coyotes serenaded. Several nocturnal avians(Poorwill?)called spookily, but overall the night sounds served to lull me into a restful sleep. In the morning I saw a few mountain bikers pass by, and a hiker came into camp for chat. I hung out - and worked a bit - until 11am. To make the hike into a loop I took Stewartville to Corcoran Mine, to Carbondale to Riverview, which took me back to the parking lot while treating me to views through crystal blue skies over the hills and the Delta. Next time I need a quick early spring, late fall or winter overnighter, I'll definitely think of Black Diamond Mines!

In regards to the other comment. The holes in the ground are squirrel holes. They are all over the entire land, not just at the camp site. It is the outdoors, complaining about bugs is a little frivolous. There is an outhouse, and a handful of benches. It's specifically made as a place to camp overnight. Nothing more. Nothing less.

I did a two night weekend with The Boy Scouts, And I thought ,This would be a great bike packing destination, The area is really great for that escape feel, And the nights are incredible.I would love to do an S24 O some day here.