June 23, 2010 - Coming from Cedar City, we drive through desert from Utah hwy's 130 to the 21, 154 miles northwest to Great Basin National Park in Nevada. Completely underrated and stuck really in the middle of nowhere, we were so pleasantly surprised with Nevada's hidden alpine gem of a forest. Our campground was situated at 9,886 feet. The highest we've ever been on this trip. Nevada's only glacier sits at the base of the 13,063 feet high, Wheeler Peak in a protected cirque. Charlie and I took the most beautiful of crisp morning hikes ever, with a 600 feet elevation gain, peaking at 10,400 feet. Our 3 1/2 mile hike was unreal, peaking at an ancient Bristlecone tree grove sitting on the barren rocks of Wheeler Peak. Being in the presence of 3,000 to 5,000 year old ancient Bristlecone trees was completely humbling (these trees are so tough, nothing else survives this high in this climate except the rocks and snow). We were in such awe of nature at it's finest, touching stands of Bristlecone as old as the Egyptian pyramids. This rewarding hike, with bouts of light-headed nausea (due to the high altitude we weren't used to), was the most magical experience yet. Lingering up top the mountain, we explored the glacial base of this wondrous mountain peak before heading back to camp. Our overnight stop in Nevada's hidden gem was well worth the trip.
Our picturesque camp on the left corner, covered with evergreens and aspen trees. Wheeler Peak (13,063 feet), Nevada's tallest, is hidden on the left behind the tree.
Sun-kissed ancient Bristlecone, survives the elements through time, growing for thousands of years.
Gorgeous textures.
The gnarled colors were unreal.
Half the tree is dead, the other still living. 3,000 years old.
Charlie inspects the smooth texture of the trunk.
Stands of Bristlecone glisten on the open rocks.
View from the Bristlecone groves of Wheeler Peak, on the right with it's glacier sitting at it's base.
More beauty.
Tripping on these crazy clouds on our drive back down the mountain.
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