Black Range Crest Trail at Fort Bayard

more stats

4.8 miles

Distance

1,804 ft

Climb

-98 ft

Descent

2 miles

High Point

1,708 ft

Altitude change

8,277 ft

Altitude min

8,311 ft

Altitude start

10,020 ft

Altitude end

6.7%

Grade

-17%

Grade max

42.1%

Grade min

4 miles

Distance climb

2,589 ft

Distance down

1,148 ft

Distance flat

Black Range Crest Details

Activities
- Hike
- Horse
- Trail Running
Riding Area

Fort Bayard
Silver City, New Mexico
Ref Number

#79
AKA

Hillsboro Peak
Difficulty Rating

Black Diamond Rate
Local Popularity
95 in Hiking [+]
- 95 in Trail Running
- 5 in Horseback
Global Ranking
#34721 in Hiking [+]
- #316474 in Trail Running
- #14336 in Horseback
Hiking SAC Scale

T2 Mountain Hiking
Trail Type

Singletrack
Direction

Both Directions
Physical Rating

Moderate
Trail Visibility

Always easy to follow
Dogs Allowed

Yes

This trail follows the crest of the Black Range offering spectacular views of rugged canyons, the Rio Grande River valley to the east, and the Gila Wilderness and Mogollon Mountains to the west.

Geospatial PDF Map: https://caltopo.com/p/6F70J

Five (5) miles of this trail, from Hwy 152 to Hillsboro Peak Lookout, was logged in the summer of 2017. Despite that portions of the vegetation were burned from the Silver Fire, there are still many good campsites along the way. The grass and weeds grow very fast. Despite the recent maintenance, dense vegetation on the trail is likely.

Following the length of the Black Range is an exceptionally rewarding experience. This trail is broken into two segments, each beginning at Emory Pass on NM 152. Trail 79 going north toward Hillsboro Peak is almost all wilderness and suitable only for hiking and horseback. It traverses the highest peaks in the range as it follows along the crest through ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and aspen forests. It's about 27.7 miles from the trail head to Reeds Peak where it connects with Continental Divide Trail #74.

source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/