[34]       

Old Spanish Trail (1829-1850)

Clark County
  36.01849, -115.5073

"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." -- Journal Entry, March 2009

Along SR 160 on Mountain Springs Summit.
 * Find this one in front of the volunteer fire station *

Original Date Visited: 3/14/09

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 the bejesus out of 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.

  • Marker 34 sign from SR 160
  • Marker 34
  • Marker 34 plaque
  • Marker 34
  • This is all you get, the view from SR 160. Keep your eyes peeled for this one!
  • Marker 34 plaque
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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.

Next Marker:

LAS VEGAS MORMON FORT AND RANCHO

Related Links & Markers:

 Old Spanish Trail Association   Old Spanish Trail: Review Journal 

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