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| Service Road   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Nevada, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 35.96580°N / 115.5003°W Route Type: Hike Time Required: Most of a day Difficulty: Class 1
| Route Quality: | | | | Loading...
| Page By: Day Hiker Created/Edited: Feb 18, 2005 / Feb 18, 2005 Object ID: 164020 Hits: 1495 Loading... Page Score: 87.47% - 6 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Approach
The route approaches Potosi Mountain from the south, via the town of Goodsprings, Nevada.
Take I15 in Nevada to exit 12 (Jean/Goodsprings). Exit 12 is about 20 miles south of the southern end of Las Vegas. Head west-northwest (toward Goodsprings) on Nevada Highway 161 for 5.5 miles and turn right at a road that bypasses Goodsprings. If you choose to go through Goodsprings instead, go to the north side of town to Pacific Avenue and head north on a road that intersects Pacific between Vegas Street and Revere Street. This road and the bypass road intersect less than 1/2 mile north of Goodsprings. Continue north-northwest from this intersection on a poorly-paved road.
After 4.3 miles, turn left on a high-clearance dirt road and continue another 2.0 miles to the “trailhead,” which is a wide spot in the road at a locked gate (elevation ~5480ft). A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for the final 2 miles of unpaved road before the gate. But if you want to avoid 4 round-trip miles of low-elevation road hiking, you will make your passenger car take you there, as I did. If the gate is open, do not be tempted to continue with the vehicle; the gate could be locked when you return.
On the side of the road there should be room to park the car, unless this hike suddenly becomes popular. Be sure not to block access to the gate, as this road is used to maintain the radio equipment on the mountain.
Route Description
The route consists almost exclusively of class-1 hiking along a four-wheel-drive service road. The hiking distance is 9.5 miles round-trip, and the elevation gain is just over 3000 feet, with a few ups and downs along the ridge.
The road starts off rather steep, climbing 1900 feet in the first 1.75 miles to a point where it crests a ridge, offering excellent views, including the Panamint Range to the west and Charleston and Griffith Peaks to the north. From here, the road mostly follows a more-gradual grade along the west side of the ridge. As the road climbs, the views open up to Mojave National Preserve in the south and then Las Vegas Valley in the east.
The road ends at a radio-equipment building near the summit, and from there, it is a short class-2 scramble to the top. Follow the electrical conduits that run up the slope, but be careful not to step on them; they are not designed to support the weight of a person. As long as equipment does not get damaged, its owners have no legitimate reason to disallow hikers from using the service road to reach Potosi Mountain.
Essential Gear
There is no water available, so bring plenty. The first part of the route is a steep ascent on a south-facing ridge, so it will be hot in the summer.
Crampons or snowshoes may be needed between December and April, depending on the snow depth. It appears that the service road is partially cleared of snow from time to time, but even if it has been recently cleared, there will be icy stretches.
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Southern Nevada
