Page 66 - Volume 3 - Walks In The Black Range

18. Ladrone Trail (Trail 157)

This is not really about the Ladrone Trail. It is about what was and what may be.
Historically, the Ladrone Trail started in the Middle Percha drainage and climbed the east slope of the Black Range, passing Hillsboro Lake after a gain of 2,000’ in elevation and reaching the Black Range Crest Trail at the saddle south of Hillsboro Peak (after a total elevation gain of about 2,300’). As such, it was one of the more strenuous walks in the Black Range.
The Silver Fire and the subsequent rains had washed the trail away but we had heard rumors that work had been done on the trail. So in late November 2020 we took a walk up the drainage - a little way (1.2 miles, 2.4 miles RT).
We parked at the Ladrone Trailhead Parking area (at the west end of the Middle Percha Loop trail) and walked up the Middle Percha, following a track and cairns. We lost the cairns where the old trail turns north, up a stream gully. We wandered up the ridge to the west of the old trail. This ridge was miserable, bushwhacking, slopes of 30+%, loose stone on bedrock. Most of our 810 foot elevation gain was on this section of the walk.
We scanned the slope to the east and as much of the stream bottom as possible trying to find a sign of
the old trail. Nada. The rumors persist that the
Forest Service will reestablish this trail. Given that
most trails in the Black Range are not strenuous, we really do need this one.