Dipping into the Great Basin

We decided to drive Rt 93 all the way down through Nevada. We are heading for Ely. This is the Great Basin. It is an unusual area known for valleys surrounded by mountains. It is a cold desert with the only water coming from snowmelt. All the water forms transient lakes in the valleys that have no outlet.

We hit the Jackpot when we entered NV

It was snowing as we drove south

They don't put curves in roads out west

Surrounded by mountains along Rt 93

I have found a national park that I had never heard of before now. Great Basin NP is about 60 miles east of Ely close to the Utah border. It is a beautiful and remote place. They are famous for their dark nights and claim to be one of the few spots in the US where you can still see the Milky Way. There was snow in the upper elevations the night before. Mt Wheeler is the main feature of the park. The drive to the top is steep and beautiful. There is even a campground at the top.

Navigating the park road

Overlooking the valley

Bristlecone Pines - oldest one found is 5000 yrs old

Overlook near the top

Getting close

Mt Wheeler over 13,000 ft.

Aspens are turning colour

Beautiful day

Below freezing and snow at the top

The road was steep

A really old Bristlecone Pine

The park is also noted for some beautiful caves, Lehman Caves. They are special for the amount of drapery type formations. They offer guided tours but I'm not much on caves so we bypassed them.