RE: DPS GUIDE FIRST EDITION. SUGGESTED REVISIONS FOR SMITH AND POTOSI MTNS.

Smith Mtn. 2.16:

We found the directions clear and easy to follow; however, from Shoshoni to roadhead, was there some reason for not using the same mileage measurements shown on the AAA Death Valley Map? Unrelated, there are roads not shown on the AAA Map or the Topo. I would add a new Guide classification and downgrade the sandy, Greenwater Valley Road from "good" to "fair". Would it not be safer to lean toward underrating roads, rather than in some cases, the opposite, or perhaps stating "marginally ___"if there is any question? We met and car camped on a flat, but gravelly site, 9 miles in (a good place for doing Smith and Brown together). SSimular sites existed en route. Bench mark 3090, about 30 ft back from the NW corner of the Gold Valley Road intersection, 10.7 miles in, can be used as a checkpoint for where to turn and for setting altimeters. This road is high clearance in a few places, mostly improving with distance in and becoming hardpan. Are you aware some unpaved roads in the Monument are no longer being maintained? Climbers may be interested to know that in the canyon on the way up Smith, there is a large quantity of off-white (without lab testing) volcanic rock laid down during the Tertlazy period (about 5-30 million years ago). There appear to be fern-like fossil markings on the pieces of rock, but actually these are foreign mineral intrusions (probably manganese oxide) called dendrite. A compass bearing from Smith to Telescope Peak could be included for those interested in Telescope's location. After a cursory search from the road, we could find no sign of the Gold Valley ruin indicated on AAA map: and we understand Willow Spring is only a seep in a tangle of vegetation. (Would it not be a challenge to start on the Death Valley floor and be picked up in Gold Valley by a party climbing from there?)

Potosi Mtn 6.9:

We found errors In the directions. Our highway approach was from Pahrump. There are roads off SR 160, at the "road summit," but not the one for Potosi. I would rewrite the driving directions something like the following:

Drive Route A: From Blue Diamond/Pahrump exit, off I-15, 9 miles south of Las Vegas. Nevada, go west ___ miles to signed, Potosi Road, ___ miles east of (before) summit El 5493 or Mountain Springs Summit El 5493--maps vary. Turn left (southwest) on excellent dirt road, and go (4?) miles, crossing Potosi Pass, to Potosi. Ruins indicated on Topo (are the stone wails of a cabin size structure?). The spring is perennial. There are suitable campsites at Potosi: but the immediate area is impacted and occasionally used for target shooting. The road forks here, and (high clearance?) vehicles can go (1/4?) mile further south, on the left. uphill road. to a parking area on right.

Hike Route A: If the same route is given again in the next Guide, directions should begin at Potosi or (1/4) mile beyond, but not at Potosi Mine. We could not find a road to the mine--in some places not even a distinct trail up the steep mountainside. The Guide indicates a road but not full Topo. There is a good. wide and fairly level trail the last (1/2) mile, which could have been mistaken as the continuation of a road, but there appear to be the ruins of a small tramway at the opposite end. It should be determined if the concrete foundations adjacent to the aforementioned parking area were built for a tram. There are two symbols on Topo, which may indicate there once was one. We did see a road near the summit of Potosi, not shown on Topo. It should be determined where this road begins: the fire station in Mountain Springs or nearest ranger station may know. Possibly it can be used for an alternate route. There is a bump south of the summit and above the same road with what appear to be antennae or power lines at the top, highly visible and forming a good landmark. The number of bumps north to the peak which is not well defined, could be given. The compass bearing for Charleston Peak could be included for those Interested in its location. The fantastic view
 
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