is also known as the national park that no one speaks of, or more accurately, the national park in the middle of no where.
Logistical breakdown:
Length of stay: 1 night
Campground/site: Baker, #28 (handicap) - walk in only, $12 per night.
Trails hiked: Alpine Lakes Loop and Bristlecone
My favorite part: the grove of Bristle Cone trees
***don't be fool by this 3 mile, 500 ft elevation gain! The altitude will get you!
Extra quirky detail: watch out for the quirky folk art along Lehman Caves Roda!
Three weeks ago I drove out to Las Vegas for a job interview. The trip to Nevada was an opportunity to check off another park of my National Parks list - the Great Basin. But to my surprise was the 5 hour additional drive up north from Las Vegas, the least favorite part of my trip. The drive was a combination of sedentary agony, scenic beauty and hypoxia along the lonely 93 hwy. It's a slow ascent to 7 thousand feet above sea level.
I arrived at Baker Campground at around 7 pm on a Friday in the midst of a thunderstorm. The only campsite available was site #28, the only site reserved for the handicap. The handicap sign worked in my favor because it was the probable reason why the site was still vacant upon my arrival. Booking here is on a walk-in basis with a honor system of making a payment to a box at the information board. At an elevation of 7,530 feet, your guaranteed to sleep like a rock.
Next morning I drove out the trailhead parking lot near Wheeler Campground to embark on the Alpine Lakes Loop and Bristlecone trails. Both trails connect at a junction that is easy to miss. KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN. Although this trail might seem easy due to its 3 mile length and 500 feet elevation gain, the high altitude will make a breathy challenge for the less acclimated. The trailhead starts at 9,886 feet.
Final thoughts...
Even thought Great National Park is in the middle of no where, it's natural to make the assumption that it will be less visited and therefore easier to book a campsite. However during the summer months, campground do become full, especially during the weekends. Also make sure you fill up on gas as soon as your tank becomes half full. There are numerous long stretches of nothingness along the 93 highway.
Logistical breakdown:
Length of stay: 1 night
Campground/site: Baker, #28 (handicap) - walk in only, $12 per night.
Trails hiked: Alpine Lakes Loop and Bristlecone
My favorite part: the grove of Bristle Cone trees
***don't be fool by this 3 mile, 500 ft elevation gain! The altitude will get you!
Extra quirky detail: watch out for the quirky folk art along Lehman Caves Roda!
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| Scenic Hwy 93 |
I arrived at Baker Campground at around 7 pm on a Friday in the midst of a thunderstorm. The only campsite available was site #28, the only site reserved for the handicap. The handicap sign worked in my favor because it was the probable reason why the site was still vacant upon my arrival. Booking here is on a walk-in basis with a honor system of making a payment to a box at the information board. At an elevation of 7,530 feet, your guaranteed to sleep like a rock.
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| Baker Campground, site #28 |
Next morning I drove out the trailhead parking lot near Wheeler Campground to embark on the Alpine Lakes Loop and Bristlecone trails. Both trails connect at a junction that is easy to miss. KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN. Although this trail might seem easy due to its 3 mile length and 500 feet elevation gain, the high altitude will make a breathy challenge for the less acclimated. The trailhead starts at 9,886 feet.
Final thoughts...
Even thought Great National Park is in the middle of no where, it's natural to make the assumption that it will be less visited and therefore easier to book a campsite. However during the summer months, campground do become full, especially during the weekends. Also make sure you fill up on gas as soon as your tank becomes half full. There are numerous long stretches of nothingness along the 93 highway.
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