Great Basin National Park in Nevada is home some of the oldest trees and most interesting desert landscapes in the country. Hiking trails lead through desert, valleys and mountains and offer spectacular views. The Great Basin attracts all types of hikers--from those who prefer a gentle stroll to those who want to challenge themselves.
Geography
The Great Basin National Park is situated in Nevada, close to the Utah border. Once known as a "barren" and "desolate", the park is actually teeming with growth and ancient bristlecone pine trees. The park is home to desert, mountains, valleys, caves and lakes. Because of the steep differences in elevation, temperatures in in the park can range a great deal. Hiking trails in the park allows visitors to experience the different climates and geography. The Alpine Lakes Loop Trail (2.7 miles) goes by two alpine lakes and presents views of the stunning Wheeler Peak. Another popular trail, the Lexington Arch Trail (3.4 miles), offers spectacular views of limestone formations.
History
Knowing the history of the Great Basin will make your hike all the more enjoyable. The Great Basin was home to the Fremont people. The Fremonts lived in the Great Basin from 1220 to 1295 A.D.
In modern times, miners called the Great Basin home. The 7.4 mile Johnson Lake trail passes by the old mining structures. The Johnson tungsten mine was a working mine from 1916 to 1935 when it was damaged by an avalanche. The mine is now on the National Register of Historical Places. Use caution on this trail; the structures are old and prone to being damaged by inconsiderate hikers and explorers. The National Park Service warns visitors not to enter any of the structures. It is still a cool site to see, at least.
Difficulty
Like many of the nation's national parks, there are plenty of hiking trails for novice, intermediate and experienced hikers. Hiking trails in Great Basin range from under a mile to 13 miles. Sky Islands Forest Trail is a 0.4 mile hike with basically no raise in elevation, which makes it a great trail for those in wheelchairs, young children and those who suffer from other health conditions that make it difficult to hike. The trail passes through a "high alpine conifer forest".
For those hikers who want a bit of a challenge and some elevation, Great Basin also provides some options. The Baker Lake/Johnson Lake Loop is 13.1 miles long with an elevation rise of 3,290 feet. It offers great views of the peaks as well some great views of the alpine lakes.
More Sites to See
Great Basin National Park is a huge chunk of land with many areas to observe and explore. With so much terrain to cover, it's a good idea to prioritize your trails so you catch the best.
The Wheeler Peak Summit Trail is not a trail to be missed.The summit has the highest elevation of any of the trails in park (10,160 feet) and affords one of the best views.
The Lehman Caves of the Great Basin are well worth a visit. The caves can only be entered by a guided tour, but for a little more adventure, visitors can hike to the caves first. The park offers amazing candlelit tours of the half-mile long caves. Reservations are required for the candlelight tour.
Considerations
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in many areas of the park. Start hiking trips early in the morning, check the weather report and keep on eye on the weather throughout the day.
Don't go off the trail. Moving off the trail not only puts you in danger, but also disturbs and could potentially damage fragile ecosystems.
Drink plenty of water while you are on the move. This is a basic, but every year even experienced hikers get sick or worse from dehydration. The Great Basin is a desert in Nevada. It gets hot in the daytime and you will sweat while hiking. Pack and drink plenty of water!
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