Page 11 - Walks In The Black Range

3. Hillsboro Peak Bypass
Trail 79 runs along the crest of the Black Range. At Hillsboro Peak there is a short trail which bypasses the Hillsboro Peak summit, connecting the two parts of trail 79 on either side of the peak. The Bypass Trail is designated trail 412, it has a total length of about 1.3 miles. From the trail junction of 79/412, just above Hillsboro Lake, to the Holden Prong saddle it is about 4 miles. Trail 412 is roughly level, from Holden Prong saddle to the west junction of 412 there is about a 500’ elevation gain.
Junction with the East Railroad Canyon Trail 130, which we did not find. (This description was written three years after the Silver Fire, a substantial amount of the trail network was destroyed or damaged by the fire.) Continuing on we found that the Bypass trail had a lot of blow-down making for some slow tiring walking (photo below). As with all things in the Black Range, things may have changed in the last storm and/or trail maintenance may have been accomplished.
The Bypass trail is relatively level and at this time has a lot of locust growing in and along it, in addition to the blowdown, making it seem like something was trying to poke or grab you at every step. But it is absolutely beautiful.
At the west junction of trail 79 and trail 412 you find this sign indicating that the Holden Prong saddle is 2.5 miles down the way. From this point the trail descends through a beautiful stream valley which has a fair amount of blowdown to Holden Prong Saddle. Once you emerge from the stream valley the trail contours around a peak providing gorgeous views to the west. After reaching Holden Prong saddle we turned left (west off of 79) and headed down Railroad Canyon.
Additional photographs from this walk can be found here.
On January 25, 2018, we took this trail as part of a car- shuttle loop starting at Emory Pass and ending at the Railroad Canyon campground, a distance of 10.6 to 11.2 (depending on your source). Above Hillsboro Lake, on the south side of Hillsboro Peak you may find the sign above (we were unable to find it in our last outing to the area). The distances on signage in this area of the Black Range are at best confusing, perhaps just plain wrong.
Heading north and turning left off of the Black Range Crest Trail (Trail 79) we took the Bypass Trail looking for the