Where is Potosi Mountain?
Usa, north-america
9.65 km
2,580 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, road trip fans, let's talk Potosi Mountain in Nevada! This peak punches way up to 8,464 feet in Clark County, sitting pretty at the south end of the Spring Mountains, southwest of Vegas.
Getting to the top is a serious adventure. We're talking Forest Road 509, a.k.a. Potosi Mountain Road. The unpaved climb is a beast, with super narrow sections and some major drop-offs. Seriously, check those brakes! A 2WD might make it to the base of the South Summit, but for the last few miles, you're gonna need 4x4 power.
This isn't just a scenic route; it's a working road built to service the FM transmitters that blast tunes across Las Vegas. Starting from Pauline Mine Road, it's a 6-mile trek to the top with a whopping 3,733 feet of elevation gain. That's an average gradient of almost 12%, with ramps that hit a crazy 25-30%! Keep an eye out for old mines dotting the mountainside, and cool little shelter caves.
The views from the top are unreal — the summit dominates the Las Vegas skyline. And remember your camera, this drive is packed with photo ops! But it's not all sunshine and vistas: back in 1942, a tragic plane crash here took the lives of 22 people, including Hollywood legend Carole Lombard. The crash site remains a somber reminder of the past.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 9.65 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,580 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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