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Great Basin National Park, NV

Jun 18 - Jun 25, 2017 -- $1300 ★★

Out in the remote backcountry of Nowhere, Nevada lies a diverse, seldom visited world called Great Basin National Park Great Basin rises out of the low desert to a towering 13,063' mountain ... Wheeler Peak, just 84 feet shy of the highest point in all of Nevada. Great Basin is home to ancient Bristlecone Pines, which have been known to live for over 5000 years, already 400 years old when the pyramids of Giza were built. Great Basin is so remote that it is a designated international dark sky park and is considered one of the best places in the United States to star-gaze and see the milky way.


Our trek will visit a variety of terrains that are accessible by established trail including the summit of Wheeler Peak. Plus, we'll tour Lehman Cave revealing the geology of the past few million years. And maybe we'll see some of the local animals: Yellow-bellied Marmot, Bighorn Sheep, Pygmy Rabbit, Porcupine, Water Shrew (whatever that is!) or even a Ringtail Cat


The trails through Great Basin National Park are often steep, but not always. However, we will be mindful of afternoon thunderstorms, particularly at elevation. As this is a day hiking only trip, we will be carrying 10 pound day-packs making the hiking less strenuous. The trip spans Summer Solstice so there will be up to 16 hours of daylight. Expect great sunsets and amazing (or just about the best possible) star-gazing.


What a great way to kick off the Summer. If you want to do a day-hiking only trip, this could be the trip for you. Why not join us for an unforgettable week?



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the high 70s with nighttime temperatures around 50. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures as high as 90 and as low as 20 (!), with a chance of passing afternoon thunderstorms. Here is the historical weather for nearby Ely, NV. Note: Ely is lower in elevation than the park. Be prepared with lots of sun protection and water containers that add up to 8 liters of capacity.



Trip Leaders

Steve Silberberg
Deb Lusk


Cost

$1300 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a room with another participant during the 2 hotel nights. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Salt Lake City (SLC), personal equipment, restaurant meals eaten off the trail and any gratuities.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, Round Trip transportation from Salt Lake City to the National Park, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation, National Park permits, insurance, campground fees and awesome guides.



Important Notes

Day-Hiking / Base Camping only


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Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Sunday, June 18, 2017

Fly into Salt Lake City Airport (SLC). The best time to arrive is between around Noon-3PM. However, if you can save a substantial amount on your flight by arriving at say, 11AM or 5PM, then do so.

Take the free airport shuttle to Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites Salt Lake City - Down Town, 230 W 500 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, 801-328-4466

Equipment shakedown

"Before" measurements taken

Trail mix distribution

Go to REI Salt Lake City, 3285 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84109, (801) 486-2100 for last minute equipment

Go out for dinner (Dinner not included in trip cost)



Monday, June 19, 2017

Early (6AM) wake-up

Second set of "before" measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage. Try to keep this to a small amount of stuff.

Free breakfast at Hotel

Car shuttle 4.5 hours to Great Basin National Park

Have a picnic lunch at Shoshone Campsite

Start Day Hiking at the end of Snake Creek Rd, Elevation 8013'

Day-Hike 1.7 uphill miles to Dead Lake, elevation 9564'

Day-Hike 1.7 miles back to Snake Creek Rd.

Day-Hike 0.7 miles to Snake Creek

Drive 1 hour to Grey Cliffs Group Campground, elevation 7120'

Set up base Camp at Grey Cliffs Group Campground Group Site C02, elevation 7120', water found at nearby Baker Creek Campground

Miles today: 4.1. Total miles: 4.1


Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Day-Hike 0.6 miles on the Osceola Ditch Interpretive Trail, elevation 8,400'

Drive to Wheeler Peak Drive Pullout, elevation 8409' or 8565'

One guide will drop off the group and shuttle the vehicle to Strawberry Creek Trailhead, elevation 7920'

Day-Hike 5.0 mostly flat miles along the Osceola Ditch to the Sage Steppe Loop Trail, elevation 8200'

Meet up with other guide here

Day-Hike 3.0 round-trip miles up Windy Canyon, elevation 9199’

Day-Hike 2.0 round-trip miles to Sage Creek Springs, elevation 7800’

Day-Hike 0.6 miles to Strawberry Creek TH, elevation 7920'

Drive 0.5 hours back to Grey Cliffs Group Campground, elevation 7120'

Miles today: 11.2. Total miles: 15.3


Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Drive to Bristlecone Trail Parking Area, elevation 9800'

Day-Hike 4.6 miles on the Bristlecone-Glacier Trail through a Bristlecone Pine grove to the only permanent glacier between Sierra Nevada and Wasatch Range, elevation 10,900'

Day-Hike 2.7 miles around the Alpine Lake Loop, elevation 10,400'

Drive to base camp, Grey Cliffs Group Campground, elevation 7120'

Miles today: 7.3. Total miles: 22.6


Thursday, June 22, 2017

Drive to Lehman Caves

Day-Hike 0.3 miles on the Mountain View Nature Trail, elevation 6800'

Tour Lehman Cave, one of the most decorated caves in the world (whatever that means).

Drive to Baker Creek Trailhead, elevation 8000'

Day-Hike 5.3 miles around the Timber Creek Loop, elevation up to 9800'

Drive to base camp, Grey Cliffs Group Campground, elevation 7120'

Miles today: 5.6. Total miles: 28.2


Friday, June 23, 2017

Awaken pre-dawn and leave camp by first light in anticipation of a long, difficult day.

Drive to the Wheeler Peak Summit Parking Area, elevation 10,160'

Day-Hike 4.0 miles to the summit of Wheeler Peak, elevation 13,063'

Day-Hike 4.0 miles to Wheeler Peak Summit Parking Area, elevation 10,160'

Drive to base camp, Grey Cliffs Group Campground, elevation 7120'

Miles today: 8.0. Total miles: 36.2


Saturday, June 24, 2017

Drive to Baker Creek Trailhead, elevation 7931'

One guide will drop off the group and shuttle the vehicle to Pole Creek Canyon TH, elevation 6870'

Day-hike 3.8 downhill miles by Pole Creek to Pole Canyon TH, elevation 6870’

End of hiking. Break camp

Miles today: 3.8. Total miles: 40.0

Shuttle 4 hours back to Salt Lake City

Check back into Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites Salt Lake City - Down Town, 230 W 500 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, 801-328-4466

After measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony. Dinner not included in trip cost.

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, June 25, 2017

Free Hotel Breakfast

Take Free Airport Shuttle


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