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| View toward Spring Mountains from Mountain Springs Peak |
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| Las Vegas and Black Velvet Peak from Rim Trail |
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| Charleston (L) and Griffith (R) Peaks from Heartbreak Hill |
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| Starting Up New Trail Ridge |
Okay. Today's plan was to explore a trail out of Potosi Canyon Road that promised to be very interesting ending at Meditation Point. Rumors were that we could drive up the road and take the trail out of the Boy Scout Camp or, at least, nearby. With track and waypoints in hand, we turned onto Potosi Canyon Road in the shade where it was 26 degrees. Before we reached a logical trailhead, we encountered a slew of "no question about it" No Trespassing signs. Posted. Posted. Private Property. No Stopping. Barbed wire fencing. Gee whiz ... it's just a trail on a mountain. We surmised that we were not welcome here so we turned around and headed up to the Mountain Springs Pass Trailhead for a pleasant workout hike up to Mountain Springs Peak trying to brush off the inhospitable-ness of the Boy Scouts. Just sayin'.
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| Anne, Rita and Mike with One of Several Cairns on New Trail |
When we started up the trail in the sun, it was 28 degrees. But, Heartbreak Hill has a way of warming you up quickly! We were a little unaccustomed to the altitude so the going was slower
than usual except for one hiker who always has boundless energy.
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| Another Cairn |
At the radio tower, Mike offered to show us a different route up from near the middle of Heartbreak Hill. It was a route Richard Natale had showed him once.
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| Setsuko takes a Break at the Fork |
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| We wandered a little! |
If you remember, there is a forested dip in the trail of Heartbreak Hill. Here, we turned to the left and traversed across to a small wash dip. There are cairns that lead the way if you start at the right point. The "dip" was at the end of a climbing ridge. The slope isn't too bad and we climbed up the ridge seeing a few cairns on the way. At the top of the ridge, the cairns led us to the right past a saddle and on up this ridge. The regular trail to Mountain Springs Peak is found at the top of this ridge on a perpendicular angle. Turn left. This new route is about the same distance and climb as the remaining part of Heartbreak Hill but it offers something different for those that might want a change from the Heartbreak Hill climb.
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| Mountain Springs Peak |
The trail junction comes during the second portion of the climb to the fork. So, the cairned trail will work for Windy Peak as well.
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| Las Vegas from Peak |
Continuing our hike out to the peak, we enjoyed a crystal clear view of the city from the escarpment rim.
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| Calico Hills from Peak |
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| One of Many Snow Patches |
We wandered a little as we felt free to explore. There were small snow patches everywhere but not on the trail. On the peak, we signed in, found that elusive third geological survey marker, took photos, enjoyed a snack and finally decided to go back. We took the cairned trail on the descent, too. The temperatures had risen about twenty degrees by the time we got back to the cars. It was a beautiful morning out in the wildernesss with friends.
5 miles; 1450 feet elevation gain; 2.75 hours
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| Survey Markers Triumvirate |
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| Enjoying the Peak on a Clear Day |
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| Heading back toward Mt. Potosi |
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