I found that it was 6 miles from the junction of the Goodsprings bypass off of NV 161 to the junction with the high clearance road, not the 4.3 mentioned. This 6 mile road is paved its entire lenght. You'll know you are there at the high clearance road when you see the "caution ahead" painted on rocks on the right side just prior to the paved road continuing on to the Las Vegas Rainbow Quarries. Take the dirt road that goes left (the high clearance road) and follow as mentioned for two miles to the gate. Before you get there, you'll pass a road going off to the right at the .6 miles mark. The gate is another 1.4 miles ahead. There is enough room for one or two vehicles near the gate.
Dean, it looks like we're both right. I measured 6.2 miles from the junction of NV161 and the bypass road to the high-clearance-road junction. I stated that it is 4.3 miles from the road intersection north of town, and that is also true. My description includes the option of taking the bypass road or going through Goodsprings, which would cause one's mileage to vary, depending on which option they take. I stated the mileage from the point north of town because that is the point where the two alternate routes rejoin.
Once you come to the saddle at 2 miles in, you'll see a peak in front of you with radio towers on top. As you start going up this peak, you'll have the choice to take a road around this peak (to the left), or directly up the peak (to the right). I made the mistake of going right and therefore up this mountain (which I now know is Mt. Potosi south summit). Adds about .5 mile to the trip and a few hundred feet of gain.
Dean - Mar 11, 2005 10:18 am - Voted 10/10
Route CommentI found that it was 6 miles from the junction of the Goodsprings bypass off of NV 161 to the junction with the high clearance road, not the 4.3 mentioned. This 6 mile road is paved its entire lenght. You'll know you are there at the high clearance road when you see the "caution ahead" painted on rocks on the right side just prior to the paved road continuing on to the Las Vegas Rainbow Quarries. Take the dirt road that goes left (the high clearance road) and follow as mentioned for two miles to the gate. Before you get there, you'll pass a road going off to the right at the .6 miles mark. The gate is another 1.4 miles ahead. There is enough room for one or two vehicles near the gate.
Day Hiker - Mar 12, 2005 12:03 am - Hasn't voted
Route CommentDean, it looks like we're both right. I measured 6.2 miles from the junction of NV161 and the bypass road to the high-clearance-road junction. I stated that it is 4.3 miles from the road intersection north of town, and that is also true. My description includes the option of taking the bypass road or going through Goodsprings, which would cause one's mileage to vary, depending on which option they take. I stated the mileage from the point north of town because that is the point where the two alternate routes rejoin.
mgollob - May 31, 2020 12:12 pm - Hasn't voted
False SummitsOnce you come to the saddle at 2 miles in, you'll see a peak in front of you with radio towers on top. As you start going up this peak, you'll have the choice to take a road around this peak (to the left), or directly up the peak (to the right). I made the mistake of going right and therefore up this mountain (which I now know is Mt. Potosi south summit). Adds about .5 mile to the trip and a few hundred feet of gain.