Is Black Star Canyon the site of an Indian massacre by Spanish conquistadors, as a local legend suggests, or a skirmish between fur trappers and natives in 1831? Other than the ghost stories, little is known about Black Star Canyon except that it was part of a mining operation in the late 1800s. Now many hikers who dare to make the 16-mile trek will come across some interesting finds, including an overturned van in a creek, fallen sheds, concrete cylinders, and Beek’s Place, where the rocky remnants of a large shack remain. Today, rumors about Black Star Canyon being the home to unsavory folk flood the Internet. The local police and fire departments say such rumors are exaggerations. Visitors however, should heed the private property signs and be cautious.
Black Star Canyon is in the Santa Ana Mountains near Silverado.