A New (?) Route on Mccullough Mountain
This November, I serendipitiously discovered what I believe to be a "new" route on Mc Cullaugh Mtn. from the north via two roads which do not appear on the existing topo maps Roach Lake & McCullough Mtn.). I have not been on a rescheduled trip to the peak, but all the trip writeups I have read have departed from Pine Spring on the SE aide - and all the writeups have mentioned the up-and-down quality of the route, with an endless string of "falsies". My route is longer (8 mi RT) but is very pleasant, and quite direct to the summit. Also, since it comes in from the north, it makes McCullough more easy to combine with other Vegas area peaks. Go east on the only road which goes through the "town" of Jean and over the UP tracts. Once over the tracks, turn right (south) and pass some homes of railroad workers. Continue 10 mi. up an excellent dirt road which follows the east flank of the small unnamed range west of the McCulloughs. At 10 mi. is a corral and a stock water tank just east of the road. Turn off here and thrash around in the tracks N. of the stock tank; soon, a road resolves itself which goes S. 3 miles to the broad saddle between the McCulloughs and the western outlier range, and continues down to the S. The road is slightly sandy, but smooth, and should give an ordinary car no trouble. Park at the saddle (ca. 4500') and head east to the peak (see route on map). The climb took 4-3/4 leisurely, pleasant RT hours. About 2-3" of new snow from the severe Thanksgiving storm were encountered above 6000'. As my route attacks the final peek on the N. side, it would not be advisable after a heavy snowfall.
	Bob Michael DPS Colorado Diehards Boulder, Colo.

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