Page 15 - 2008 DT 12 issues

Hiking to the boulders and smaller rocks are knocked came in handy to grab onto in some of
Carole Lombard Crash Site loose and slide back toward those the steeper places. Once safely back in
following behind. the wash, it was a matter of bouldering
The last 200 feet to the saddle are down the wash to get back to the cars.
by Norm Kresge
very steep with so much loose soil that This hike into history proved to
I walked stooped over and clutched the be very challenging but extremely
igh on Mount Potosi, at an el- soil to help hold on getting up this last rewarding. It was amazing to stand
evation just above 7,800 feet,
Hlies the wreckage of the TWA incline to the saddle. Persistence pays amid wreckage from a crash that oc-
off when you reach the saddle. You curred more than 60 years ago and see
DC-3 that crashed into the mountain
on January 16, 1942, about 20 minutes get a fantastic view of the Las Vegas how our lack of rain preserves things
Valley and the Calico Hills of Red for decades. It was also a unanimous
after leaving Las Vegas. All 22 people
on board died, including actress Carole Rock Canyon that you’d only get in an decision not to ever do the hike again!
airplane. You’re almost level with some Once was enough!
Lombard. Getting to the wreckage site of the communication towers you see
is a difficult task involving approxi- on Mount Potosi.
mately 8 miles of tough 4x4 driving in The hike continues for another 3/10
Cottonwood Valley south of SR 160. Desert Trumpet
of a mile to the wreckage. This last part
goes up a steep gully with some Editor
boulders. As you head up the gully Barbara Wolin
toward the base of the cliffs, as- Contributing Writers
sorted wreckage comes into view. Louis C. Kleber
It was amazing to see how much H. Dan Wray
is still there. We saw both engines, Barbara Wolin
one almost covered in dirt washed
from the slope higher up. The Publishers
landing gear is there along with Norm Kresge
much twisted metal, cables, hoses, Barbara Wolin
and other parts from the Douglas Administrative Assistant
One of the two engines at the wreck site aircraft. There was some wreckage Phyllis Lisi
we simply couldn’t identify.
It was very disturbing to find that Chief Costumer
Much of the area was burned by the fire someone has vandalized the site by re- Norman Wolin
of 2005 that spread from Goodsprings moving the bronze plaque at the base of
north along Mount Potosi. There is the cliffs that memorialized the event. The Desert Trumpet is published month-
ample evidence of plant re-growth. ly by and for FORRC members. Statements,
opinions and points of view expressed by
The hike was once described to On it was written: writers are their own and do not necessarily
me as being equivalent to climbing reflect those of FORRC. Please submit all
two Turtlehead Peaks, and that’s an apt MT. POTOSI, NEVADA articles, photos and artwork NLT the15th of
each month by calling 515-5350. If you are
description. The first half of the hike IN MEMORY interested in becoming part of the Desert
is a rugged trek up a wash with large Trumpet staff, contact Editor at 256-8043 or
boulders and pour-overs. In places, of the 22 individuals who perished on forrcnews@cox.net
it’s easier to hike out of the wash, but this mountain on January 16, 1942, FORRC is a non-profit 501 (c) (3)
then you’re liable to get black marks on in the crash of Transcontinental and organization dedicated solely to the welfare
you and your clothing from the charred Western Airlines (TWA) flight 3, of the Red Rock Canyon National Conser-
vation Area. FORRC provides volunteers
branches of manzanita. Three-quarters including Carole Lombard, and funding for projects including envi-
of a mile later, and after ascending 15 Army Air Corp pilots, a ronmental education, teacher workshops,
about 800 feet, you start up along the crew of 3, and 3 passengers. natural resource protection, cultural resource
monitoring, hike programs and other services.
base of the cliffs to a saddle between Annual individual membership is $25.00.
two sections of the ribbon-like top of Descending the mountain was just General meetings are held four times a
Potosi. This is one of the most dif- as difficult as the hike up. There were year; Board meetings are held on the second
Tuesday of each month at the Visitor Center
ficult places. There is a lot of scree times when we found it safer and easier unless otherwise posted. Messages may
and you must leave plenty of room to “surf” on our backsides to get lower. be left at 255-8743. Visit our website at www.
between hikers, because many of the Stray branches and large boulders also friendsofredrockcanyon.org

FORRC/February/2008 Page 7