Wheeler Peak (13,065 feet) in Great Basin National Park
Earlier this year we and some of our friends who had been on our 2015 Grand Canyon river trip were hoping to go on another river trip this year, but unfortunately none of us pulled a permit. So, we decided it would be almost as much fun to go camping together and it didn't take us long to settle on Great Basin National Park.
Most of us had been there before and were anxious to go back. Great Basin is a wonderful park with beautiful backcountry, alpine lakes, the second highest peak in Nevada, really great caverns, and an amazing night sky. In fact, in 2016 it had been designated an International Dark Sky Park. Additionally, it is seldom busy, there are no entrance fees, and it was equally close for those of us who live in Southern and Northern Nevada.
Other than Lisa who was hanging out at camp, this was our Great Basin camping group at the Wheeler Peak Overlook.
From left to right are Kathrine Spargo, Frank and Erin Nason, Phil Spargo, Chris England, Caleb, Alex Heindl, Bob and Hannah.
All of us had arrived in the park on Sunday, the 10th and one of the first things we did on Monday was take the 90 minute, "Grand Palace" tour of Lehman Caves. The Lehman Caves are quite extensive with all the formations you would expect in a limestone cave like stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, flowstone, popcorn, and shield formations. This ranger-led tour was a really great way for our group to start out our trip together.
Katherine and Hannah in Lehman Caves.
Our always happy Hannah.
This was the second time Caleb had been in Lehman Caves, but he was only six years old the first time and really didn't remember them. This time he really enjoyed his visit.
Amazing formations in Lehman Caves.
One of the many larger rooms found in the Lehman Cave system.
After getting back from the cave tour we had fun in the Lehman Caves Cafe and Gift Shop making our own ice cream stalactites and stalagmites.
The lady at the ice cream shop joined in on the fun. Here she holds up our "stalactite" cone. Moments later the ice cream in the top cone unceremoniously landed on the counter; it made for a lot of laughs!
This was the third time we had been to Great Basin and the second time for the kids. The first time we were in the park was in 1996. It was on that trip while we were coming down from a hike to the summit of Wheeler Peak that we ran into author and photographer, Bruce Grubbs. He was putting together material for a hiking guide book of the park and asked if it would be OK if he took our picture. We agreed and our picture ended up being on the cover of his guide book and is still on the sign at the Alpine Lakes Loop Trailhead. Unfortunately the original version of the guide book is out of print, but the photo lives on. :)
A scan of the book cover of Bruce Grubbs' original Hiking Great Basin National Park guide book.
On Tuesday we all decided to hike to the summit of Wheeler Peak, the second highest mountain in Nevada at 13,065 feet. Only Boundary Peak on the western border of Nevada is higher at 13,145 feet.
This picture of Bob and our great kids was taken at Stella Lake early on our hike to the summit.
Hannah and Lisa at Stella Lake.
Phil and Katherine Spargo with Wheeler Peak in the background.
Caleb leading the pack up the Wheeler Peak Trail.
Coming up the trail with Spring Valley 10 miles in the distance and almost a mile lower.
Our very good friend Alex Heindl.
Katherine Spargo was kind enough to compose and take this picture of Lisa and I hiking the same section of trail we did back in 1996 for Bruce Grubbs' guide book pictured to the right.
Hard to believe this was taken 22 years ago.
Still hiking and still in love.
And now we have wonderful kids doing the same thing.
God is good, life is good!
Frank, Phil, and Katherine taking a break before heading up the rocky ridgeline to the summit of Wheeler Peak.
The maintained trail actually skirts around to the left behind Frank, but it was still covered in snow and without crampons it would have been a very dangerous way to the top.
Hannah took this picture of Caleb and Bob making their way across the last snowfield to the summit.
Caleb and Hannah, first on the summit.
We are so proud of our kids.
Katherine and Phil Spargo with their first summit of Wheeler Peak...
...and Chris England with his.
It's really great having the whole family up here. The last time Bob was at this spot was in 2010.
Hannah on the East Summit of Wheeler Peak with the town of Baker almost 8,000 feet lower. Beyond that is the Snake Valley of Utah.
Caleb taking a summit nap while Lisa breaks out lunch.
Chris England and Frank Nason making their way down the talus slope below the summit. Everyone agreed this was the section of the climb they were most happy to leave behind.
On our way back to the trailhead some of us decided to take a slightly longer route around the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail. This is beautiful Teresa Lake located on that trail.
One of the arrangements we made for this group camping trip was everyone would take turns cooking one dinner and cleaning up afterwards. Here Frank and Erin are doing their part after a very satisfying post Wheeler Peak summit dinner.
Sharing wisdom or opinion? Who knows, but in Alex's case it's most likely wisdom.
Hannah and her good friend Alex Heindl on the Timber Creek Trail.
The hike we took up Timber Creek and down the South Fork of Baker Creek was one that none of us had ever done before and turned out to be just great.
In total it took us a little over three hours to hike 6 1/2 miles through some of the most beautiful country to be found anywhere in Nevada. For a fun video of this great hike taken by Hannah on her phone using an app called "relive", click here.
In total it took us a little over three hours to hike 6 1/2 miles through some of the most beautiful country to be found anywhere in Nevada. For a fun video of this great hike taken by Hannah on her phone using an app called "relive", click here.
Hannah on the Timber Creek Trail.
Bluebells on the Timber Creek Trail.
Most of the hike up through Timber Creek was what you would expect, in the trees. But, as we neared the ridgeline before dropping down into the South Fork of Baker Creek it really opened up in these amazing alpine meadows where at any time you would expect to see wildlife grazing. It was midday so we didn't see anything, but no doubt this is home to elk and deer.
Alex, Katherine, Phil and Hannah thoroughly enjoying this hike in Great Basin National Park.
Great friends in beautiful country, it doesn't get any better than this.
Bob on vacation!
Dad and daughter having lunch next to the South Fork of Baker Creek.
Our good friends Phil and Katherine Spargo.
On the South Fork of Baker Creek trail near where it intersects with the Main Fork of Baker Creek.
Near the end of our hike Hannah and Alex, feeling energetic, take a moment to reenact Robin Hood and Little John battling on the bridge. What fun!
The artistic Great Basin fire pit at the Upper Lehman Creek Campground Amphitheater.
Lehman Creek next to our campsite in the Upper Lehman Creek Campground.
We had a wonderful time camping here with this great group of people. No doubt we'll be doing this again.