Great Basin: A Delightful Surprise
Initially Great Basin was a second thought. It was a bit out of the way, but going to Great Basin was an excellent decision. The first surprise was the campground, a first come first serve site tucked among some pine and aspen trees next to a mountain creek that lulled us to sleep.
The next surprise was a wonderful hike along the creek which felt like the North Shore with pines and aspen lining the creek’s edge. As we we climbed upward the switchbacks took us into a sage and juniper filled hillside. We passed mountain meadows and saw splashes of fall color
Today the surprise was Wheeler Peak. The scenes driving up the switch backs were beautiful. One could see for mild and miles.
The hike took us through Bristle Pine Groves featuring the oldest trees in the world. They are hardy trees that endure harsh winds, extreme temperatures and poor soil. They can live over 5,000 years and it can take a dead bristle cone over 300 years to decay. They were impressive.
The hike took us past babbling mountain brooks, mountain vistas, glaciers, lakes, mountain meadows and fall aspen
This is the only park that I have been able to play in the snow
Great Basin was a surprisingly great find!
