Just a short distance southwest from downtown Silver City is a fascinating complex of trails that reminds us of Silver City’s past as an important mining community.
The first mining in the area occurred in the early 1870s after considerable prospecting for silver. However the primary mined on Boston Hill was not silver, but manganiferous ircon ore. The area became known as Boston Hill after it was purchased by the Massachusetts and New Mexico Mining Company (also known as the
“Boston Company”). A narrow gauge railroad was built around the south and west side of Boston Hill in 1906 on a route to the mines at Pinos Altos.
Mining activity on Boston Hill ceased in the early 1970s and soon after the railroad company pulled up its tracks and left town.
The Town of Silver City purchased a majority of the claims associated with Boston Hill in 1999 and created the Town’s first open space. In 2001, the Town obtained a grant to develop a non-motorized trail system and today the area is used by citizens for hiking, bicycling, appreciation of the area’s history and scenic vistas.
The Boston Hill Trail System consists of 32 distinct trails with a combined length of approximately 14 miles, and dozens of possible loops. total of 14 miles of trails. The trails can be accessed from six distinct trailheads (see map below).
One of my favorite activities is run/walking from our house to the Cheyenne Trailhead, then up to the bench on the “H” trail, then down to Spring Street Trailhead via #2, and back through town with a stop at my favorite coffee shop.
Another is to the Boston Hill summit at back from the Market Street Trailhead. The view from the top never gets old!
Reminder: Dogs are allowed on Boston Hill, but must be leashed at all times.
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