The Providence Mountains are really two distinct ranges, North, topped by Edgar Peak, 7162', and South, topped by Providence Point, 6612'. The ranges are divided by Foshay Pass, 4429', so a 2183' gap, and 6.0 miles exists between the high points of the two ranges.
The DPS added the high point of the Providence Mtns to the list in 1951. It was unnamed on any map, so we called it "Providence Mtn." Mitchell, a named VABM, was added to the list in 1970. Mitchell Point was only 1.6 mi. N or "Providence Mtn", and the low point on the ridge connecting the two is only 912' lower than Mitchell, so Mitchell was a questionable addition!
The 1985 7.5' topo, Fountain Peak, gave the 7162' high point a name: "Edgar Peak", so we had to stop calling it "Providence"!
The 1985 7.5' topo, Van Winkle Spring, named the 6612' VABM that is the high point of the South Providence Mtns: :"Providence", so we can call it "Providence Point".
The register on Providence Point reveals that the DPS has been climbing it for years, and calling it "Foshay Peak", a name that does not appear on any maps that I know of. Bud Bingham led 23 up P.P. 2-11-67. John Vitz led 9 up in March '71. Smatko & Schuler led their young sons up in '73 (2nd time for dads!). Jon Petitjean & Dave Burdett led 16 up 2-11-79. Gordon McLeod led 3 up 3-79 (or was this his 3rd ascent?). Gene Olsen led 12 up 2-23-86. Igor M. led 10 up 1-27-91. Many others signed in individually over the years. Dale Van D. led 6 up from Providence Mine 1-12-92.
Drive & climb from the east: Drive 100 mi E of Barstow on I-40. Left 9.7 mi on paved Essex Rd. Left (W) on good dirt gas pipeline road. Left (SW) at .4. Right (NW) at 5.2 from pavement. Pass corral & water tank at 5.6. Left (S) at 5.7 on road not shown on 7.5 topo ("West of Blind Hills"). Right (W) at 6.0. R (NW) at 7.9. Park at Providence Mine, 8.9 mi from pavement.
Hike: Any combination of gullies & ridges probably goes. We hiked WNW to the dry streambed that drains the eastern slopes, followed it for .5 mi, then NW to ridge, then W to summit plateau, SW to summit. Cl 2.
Drive & climb from the west: Drive 78 mi E of Barstow on I-40. Left 11.8 mi on Kelbaker Rd. Right (E) on dirt road & drive as far as you can, about 3.0 mi to about 4260', probably.
Hike ESE to ridgeline at UTM 309582 (1659T on topo), then hike NE to summit, staying east of the ridgeline. 4.5 ml r.t., 2350' gain. (Not scouted. This route is from 7.5 topos only!)
From the west, this peak would go well with Granite #1, and/or Old Dad. From the east it goes well with Mitchell & Edgar.
Is Providence Point a good candidate for the DPS list? It's better than perhaps 20 peaks on the list, in my opinion, and perhaps equal to another dozen. Views from the top are superb, and it stands out for many miles. Many of you have already climbed it as Foshay Peak; we'll lead it from the west next fall!-Dale
