Old Spanish Trail (1829-1850)

"Well this time I didn't have as much trouble as I did a few miles back. Traffic still sucks, but since I've already parked here, I think I'll stay awhile. I'm already exhausted even though my campaign in Clark County has just begun. I'm due home in six days time, but I've allowed myself a few extra days for a photo shoot in western Utah. That's right. I'm not coming back home on the Blue Diamond (Highway). #34 conquered." -- March 2009

[34]       

18500 SR 160 -- Mountain Springs

Las Vegas & Clark County
  36.018490, -115.507300

Original Date Visited: 3/14/09
Last Confirmed: 11/16/22
Signed: Both lanes of SR 160

Notes: State Route 160. The Blue Diamond Highway or what I call, "the lost-causeway." Of all the roads I've traveled in Nevada, SR 160 could easily be one of the most dangerous roads. Proof is in the paper and NHP records don't lie. Blue Diamond sees anywhere from fifty to one hundred thousand commuters a day, most of them dominated by suburban folk who aren't used to the casually-driving marker hunter. In 2014, the Nevada Highway Patrol recorded a total of 163 accidents on the Blue Diamond with most of them occurring through Mountain Springs Summit through Potosi Canyon.

None of this is intended to scare you, but as any old good hint of advice, use it as a primer when you try to bag this marker. The SHPO did in fact a great service in choosing the location for [34], but the knee-high boulder that it's been mounted to is almost impossible to see from the road. Keep an eye out for the volunteer fire station on the westbound side of the highway as you approach the summit. If you pass the fire station, you've gone too far and will need some degree of luck to turn around in either direction.

Street View

Here's what you'll see!

Exact Description:
Stretching for 130 miles across Clark County, this historic horse trail became Nevada's first route of commerce in 1829 when trade was initiated between Santa Fe and Los Angeles. The trail was later used by the wagons of the "49ers" and Mormon pioneers. Concrete posts marking the trail were erected in 1965.

[34 sign]

Notice the insane traffic on SR 160. Without this sign, there will no indication of spotting tiny Marker 34! Keep your eyes peeled, but be careful.

Interstate 95 Roadtrip
 COVERED IN US 95 ROAD TRIP

Next Marker

LAS VEGAS MORMON FORT AND RANCHO

Related Links & Markers:

 Old Spanish Trail Association   Old Spanish Trail: Review Journal    Old Spanish Trail Park   Old Spanish Trail -- Wild Nevada -

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