Page 24 - Walks In The Black Range

REPORT FROM SPRING: Although we have had some rain, the monsoons will not arrive for a month or so - and it is spring, not fall - so the selection of flowers along the trail was more limited. As we neared the summit, the flowers were more numerous.

UPDATE OF MARCH 13, 2017: On the 13th we took a walk from Emory Pass to the first saddle beyond the Wilderness Boundary on the Black Range Crest Trail (Hillsboro Peak Trail), a distance of about 2.2 miles each way. Except for some downed trees near the beginning of the walk, the trail was in good condition. The weather was perfect for a walk in the mountains. The wind was averaging around 20 m.p.h. for most of the walk but as we started back it began to gust to higher speeds.

The map at the bottom of the page at the end of this trail entry shows the track of Forest Service Trail 79 as it nears Hillsboro Peak. The Hillsboro Peak Bypass trail bypasses the Peak on the south side of mountain.

SUMMARY: A nice walk at just short of 11 miles round-trip (or of any shorter length should you chose to turn around before the peak) this trail involves no route finding experience. At times there is blow down along the trail but since this is probably the most popular trail in the Black Range the Forest Service is pretty diligent in keeping the main trunk trail cleared. With the continuing drought in the southwest there is generally little snow on the route in winter, but when there is it tends to drift on the north and east facing slopes and when it ices it can be tenuous to cross. Bear and cougar sign are seen fairly regularly along the trail and various other creatures are possible. This can be a great wildflower walk, anytime except winter - regardless of how far you choose to walk.
Small snow banks were still present along portions of our walk. Near those snow banks there were signs that shrews (most likely Montane Shrew, Sorex monticolus - a.k.a. Dusky Shrew) had wintered at the site, photo above.
Additional photographs from this walk can be found here.

UPDATE OF JANUARY 25, 2018: We hiked up trail 79 from Emory Pass to the saddle overlooking Hillsboro Lake, finding the trail in good condition, mostly cleared of downed trees, with patches of snow. From the saddle, we turned west, taking the Hillsboro Peak Bypass Trail to the Holden Prong Saddle.
See also: The Black Range Naturalist (BRN), Vol. 1, No. 1, “Experiences of a Hillsboro Peak Lookout” by Don Precoda; BRN, Vol. 2, No. 2, “More Memories From Hillsboro Peak” by Don Precoda.