Page 80 - Vol. 1 Walks In The Black Range - 2nd Edition

11. Rattlesnake Mine From NM-152
This walk starts just east of Hillsboro. It follows an old mining road, ruts and rocks are the only obstructions which you will encounter. The usual suspects are on-the-scene; rattlesnakes, Coyote, and Cougar are all possible - but not likely.
The walk starts (see map on the following page) near the intersection of NM-152 and the Hillsboro Transfer Station Road, on the eastern edge of Hillsboro. Enter the wash and take the first “road” to the right.
There are two primary “objectives” for a walk up this route. The first objective is at the crest of a saddle where there are remains of structures associated with the old Snake Mine. These structures are shown in the “South of the Opportunity” Walk write-up. The round trip walk to this point is 4.1 miles, with about 500’ of elevation gain (5,149’ to 5,692’).
It is possible to continue up the road from the saddle (heading roughly northeast at this point to the diggings above the Eureka Adit. The round trip walk to this point (the route shown on the map on the following page) is 5.3 miles with an elevation gain of about 875’.
This walk is very good for wildflowers, as are all of the walks east of Hillsboro. It can be good for a variety of insects as well. Birds are typical of the area; Black-throated Sparrow is the most common bird, Cactus Wren, Curve- billed Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird are likely, and Black- chinned Sparrow has been seen here.
On stormy days, views along the walk can be quite dramatic.
A video of these mine sites can be viewed here.
A. In July, the Desert Millipede, Orthoporus ornatus, is abundant in this area. This species is found in the U.S. Southwest from Arizona east to Texas. Its range extends
southward to San Luis Potosi in Mexico. It can be as long as six inches and feeds on both living and dead organic material, although it seems to prefer decaying matter. Although it can be found easily, in season, it is generally nocturnal and spends a great deal of time underground. It curls into a coil when frightened.
B. Also in July, and in the same habitat, the Red Velvet Mite, Trombidium sp. is fairly common (photo above). The individual shown here is possibly the Giant Red Velvet Mite, Dinothrombium magnificum. These creatures often emerge (from the ground) following the monsoonal rains. They prey, primarily, on termites and it is thought that their emergence is timed to coincide with termite blooms. Both the larval and adult stages can be cannibalistic.