Page 141 - Walks In The Black Range

35. Garfield/Butler Mines
The trail to the Garfield Mine Group starts at the Hillsboro Transfer Station and follows old mining roads for most of its 2.9 mile distance. The net elevation gain is 542‘ (from 5,115 to 5,657). Gross elevation gain is in the range of 700‘ and the maximum grade is 14%. The trail follows the alternate route to the Big-Low Mine for most of its distance. At 1.7 miles from the transfer station, at an elevation of 5,545’, there are cement foundations of an old mill site (see Bigelow Mine description).
At 2 miles from the start, at an elevation of 5,587’, the trail turns southwest down a gulch, still on an old mining road in good condition although it becomes more rocky. At this point it is possible to continue to the Big-Low Mine shafts, which are only 200 yards up the hill, the headframe of the Big-Low is clearly visible at this point.
The trail to the Garfield Mine Group continues southwest for a quarter of a mile and then turns north and up-hill. Until this point a high-clearance vehicle would not have great difficulty traveling along the road (trail). As the trail climbs the slope, however, the road degrades significantly although it (as of June 2015) is still passible by ATV.
At about two and three-quarters miles from the start the road terminates and the mines are accessed by game trails.
See the video of the mine site here.
36. Mesa Walk South of Hillsboro
The walk shown here is not a trail per se, more of a route. As such it is typical of many a walk in the Black Range; a starting point, rocks and stones along the way, and an end point. This route starts from Hillsboro and makes a loop, gaining a little over 700 feet in the process. The route is 6.1 miles long.
In much of this area, land ownership is very clear, it is federal (whether leased or not). In some cases it is not clear where the ownership rests. Even, as in the case of this route, where there were no postings it is prudent to ask around and ask permission if that is necessary.