After we had finished up competing at the Huntsman World Senior Games, we decided to do a little roadtrip, and explore an area where we haven’t been before.
I have never been to the Great Basin National Park before. Located in Central Nevada very close to the Utah state line, the park was established in 1986. The name refers to a huge geographic area that occupies most of Nevada, the western half of Utah and the SE region of Oregon. The National Park was established to preserve one of these desert mountain islands- the South Snake Range. The park includes desert and sagebrush to Wheeler Peak’s 13,063-foot summit. In 2016 the Park was designated an International Dark Sky Park.
With the Government shut down we were concerned about what would be open and accessible. We immediately drove to the Lehman Caves Visitors Center. The caves and visitor center were closed, although the restrooms were open. When we got to the park it was late afternoon, and we decided to drive the Wheeler Peak scenic drive. Luckily for us it was open, and there were notices posted that the scenic drive was going to close at 6pm the day we arrived.
The Wheeler Peak scenic drive is well worth it.
It ends at a parking lot, with trails to the Bristlecone pine grove.
We were pressed for time (and with the closure coming, as well as some adverse weather) we didn’t have much time for a hike.
This would be something that I would be happy to return. But not this year.
Cave tours are available when the Lehman Caves Visitors Center is open. We ran into a number of people with scheduled cave tours that had been cancelled due to the government shut down. A cave tour would not be on the cards for me. This is a personal issue. I had a bad experience many years ago when Kevin and I visited Carlsbad Caverns. We got separated, and the elevators to return to the surface were briefly offline. I found the experience of feeling trapped underground overwhelming, and not something I want to repeat.
We overnighted at the Hidden Canyon Retreat. Highly recommend for its location, and serenity.
There was a very tame herd of resident deer.
I did think that it was a little overpriced for what it offered. For example, for breakfast guests were given an option the pre bought (and delivered the night before) sack containing some water, a fruit, some yoghurt and a pastry, or you could get a $7 “credit token” to “buy” items from the Retreat Store. The room we did have included a very comfortable King size bed with bathroom, fully equipped kitchen (fridge, microwave, toaster oven, all flatware,) and lounge. There is very little accommodation available near the park (apart from camping.) Access to the retreat is via a dirt road. Directions to the retreat were clear. Do not rely on GPS.
The next morning we decided to return to the park and visit the other visitor center – the one outside the small town of Baker. That too was closed due to the shut down. We decided to return to the park and explore Snake Creek Road.
This dirt road followed the creek. The leaves had turned gold. It was beautiful.
We did end up turning around because we had a long drive to get to our next stop, Caliente, NV.
