In the southern part of the Spring Mountain range you will find Mount Potosi, (AKA Double Up Peak and Olcott Peak). The mountain range develop approximately 65 million years as part of the Keystone Thrust fault that extends north into Canada. The lower elevations (where precipitation is lowest and evaporation is highest), the desert is dominated by widely scattered creosote bush, yucca, and a few other scrubs. Slightly higher, but still in the desert zone, the vegetation becomes more "lush" and diverse, and Joshua trees and agave become common. Higher up in the foothills, the desert woodlands start where pine and juniper trees prevail.
Historically, lead ore deposits were found high upon a cliff in Potosi by prospecting Mormons living at the mission at Las Vegas in 1856. Early smelting developments were futile, for the lead proved to be uncooperative. In 1861-1863, the Colorado Mining Company set up a larger smelter at Potosi Spring, and silver mining operations were commenced. Potosi townsite was platted 700 feet below the mine by Capt. J.E. Stevens, which was then in northwestern New Mexico Territory -- 100 miners made Potosi their home. The mine was found to contain a high zinc content and for 14 years zinc mining was conducted on a regular producing basis. A tramway was built to make the trip from mine to smelter easier. Activity slowed after 1920, although between 1925 and 1928 production was again running full bore. Potosi produced over $4,500,000 in lead, silver and zinc.
Years later tragically struck Potosi. On January 16, 1942 film actress Carole Lombard's TWA's flight back from a war bond rally had crashed into the peak. No one survived the terrible crash. If you do come across the crash site, (I heard it's very difficult to find)it is a protected site. A fine of $1,000 if a person is caught removing any pieces of wreckage from the site.
The cache is located in a small metal ammo box hidden under a pile of rocks. If you plan to hike in during the winter months you should come in from the western ridge line. If you have not reach the peak by 1pm you run the risk of walking back in the darkness. Hiking is fairly rugged when come from the western ridge line. There were two places with some steep rocks, probably 3rd class that you will need to negotiate on the way to the peak. Snow can be present from November through May.
Take care while driving along the dirt roads there are deer and donkeys ready to stubble across your path. While hiking I noticed several tracks of deer and donkeys. I also noticed cat tracks (bobcat, mountain lion). Check out the following web sites for information about mountain lions: http://www.desertusa.com/may96/du_mlion.html and http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lion/. It's best to hike in a group. Another word of warning, a friend mentioned to me that scorpions are present on the mountain. He and a friend where hiking in a very steep section and had grabbed a bush for support. This action caused the plant to be pulled out of the ground exposing a nest of scorpions.