South Peak | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

South Peak | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

Explore South Peak, the rarely visited Southernmost peak in the colorful Jurassic Era sandstone Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada. South Peak offers unique and spectacular views of Potosi Mountain to the South and the Rainbow Mountains to the North. This adventure is challenging, though does not exceed the class 3 level of rock climbing. And, it can be accomplished in half a day. Click the image or title above for details.

Potosi Mountain Southern Approach | Spring Mountains Wilderness | Nevada

Potosi Mountain Southern Approach | Spring Mountains Wilderness | Nevada

The Southern approach to Potosi Mountain is nothing less than a huge endurance test. Though it’s only 14 miles out and back from my starting point at the “warning rock” parking area, and you’re on a pretty good road all the way to the summit, the angle of incline is the challenge. Think streets of San Francisco, only instead of a one block steep incline you’re looking at half-mile sections of incredibly steep incline. The incline is so steep in places that you’re gaining nearly one foot elevation gain per stride! One note: your total ascent is between 3,500 and 4,000ft. Route details: 14 mi RT/ 4,700ft > 8,500ft; **Paved and Unpaved Maintenance Roads** Click image or title above for more…

Potosi Mountain | Northern Hills Exploration | Spring Mountains, Nevada

Potosi Mountain | Northern Hills Exploration | Spring Mountains, Nevada

During this adventure, though I do not ascend to the summit, I scope out the Northwestern area of Potosi Mountain and discover a few alternate summit approaches. Potosi Mountain, Elevation 8,517ft, is the last high point along the horizon in the Spring Mountains as you’re viewing the skyline from Las Vegas. From Potosi Mountain’s 8,517ft summit, populated with a number of communications towers, you can look across the entire stretch of the Rainbow Mountains. Route details: 16 mi RT from Hwy 160/ 5,500ft > 7,200ft; **Unpaved Road then Wilderness (no trails)** Click image or title above for more…

Potosi Mountain Northern Cliffs Trail | Spring Mountains, Nevada

The Potosi North Trail is very well constructed and the views are spectacular — both along the trail and off in the distance. Along the trail there are elaborate rock formations including pinnacles and a few small natural bridges branching out from the spectacular limestone cliff face. The plant life is rich, a mountain pine forest. Then, there is the distant back-drop including Lovell Canyon bordered by Griffith Peak and Harris Mountain with Mummy Mountain dead center. Route details: 16 mi RT from Hwy 160/ 5,500ft > 7,500ft; **Unpaved Road then Wilderness (no trails)** Click image or title above for more…

Potosi Mt Summit via Western Cliffs Ridge | Spring Mountains, Nevada

Potosi Mt Summit via Western Cliffs Ridge | Spring Mountains, Nevada

The Potosi Mt Western Cliffs Ridge is not only a spectacular route with views that do not end, but it is also a historical site, the location of Potosi Mine. This route discovers a nice trail beginning at the end of Potosi Springs Road and heading upward to the old route from the aerial tram site to the Potosi Mine. I believe wide, well constructed route between the high point of the tram and the mine was the route of the baby gauge railroad. Upon meeting the Potosi Mine route another very faint use trail continues up and along the Western Cliffs Ridge. That faint trail appears and disappears, but the ridge eventually leads to Potosi Mountain summit. Route details: 20+ mi RT from Hwy 160/ 5,500ft > 8,500ft; **Unpaved Road, Some Trails, Some Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…

01 Potosi Mountain Overview | Spring Mountains, Nevada

Potosi Mountain, Nevada is a huge 8,517ft mountain at the Southern tip of the Spring Mountains featuring many challenging hikes and climbs at every difficulty level. Spectacular views are everywhere! There are many ways to get to the summit. The main Southern approach is a very steep maintenance road. Northern approaches involve locating openings in the surrounding cliffs. The openings are there, but it helps to know where! Best time of year for adventures in the higher elevations here: Fall and Spring. You may need to navigate snow during Winter months. When Las Vegas Valley temperatures rise above 95 degrees, the higher elevations can become uncomfortably hot and even dangerous. Follow the thumbnail images on this page to plan your next adventure on Potosi Mountain. Click image or title above for more…

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