Great Basin National Park

[Nick]

Alright peoples, me again asking questions, one of several threads I'm bound to post in relation to my spring break plans. I'm wondering if it's worth a stop in Great Basin National Park on my way to or from Death Valley. It would add an extra hour and a lot of 2-lane highway to do so. And maybe even if GBNP is cool, maybe not so much in mid-March? I've never been super impressed by any photos I've seen of GBNP. Maybe there's other cool stuff I could do along the way. Or maybe this would be a good time for a stop in Valley of Fire... What do you guys think?

Long way through Great Basin = 10 hours
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[/parsehtml]Faster way through Vegas = 9 hours
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[pixie1339]

I've never visited Great Basin, but I've researched it because I'd like to one day. Weather-wise it's pretty similiar to the mountains around Northern Utah. It can be visited, but it would be cold and you wouldn't be able to access some of the stuff in the higher elevations. Valley Of Fire is awesome, not far out of your way, and the weather should be nice that time of year. I would go there instead. What do you have on the agenda for Death Valley? We went last March and loved it!

 

[HomerJ]

Valley of Fire is cool! I've never been to Great Basin, but I've heard some people say it's cool. Don't know how cool, or what time a year to go....

 

[Seldom Seen Anderson]

Been to both! When I went to Great Basin it was early July and they had just opened to upper campground (it is at roughly 10, 000 ft) I summitted wheeler peak (13,000+ feet) In 4 miles and increase of elevation of 3, 000 feet so not too bad. It was an awesome hike, one of my favorites. At the top you have a 360 degree view of the basin and range region of the West as this is the highest peak of the many peaks. Unfortunately this hike would probably be impossible in March unless you have some serious winter gear. The coolest parts of Great Basin are all above 10, 000 ft (bristlecone pine forests, glaciers, glacial lakes, etc and all once again would be difficult to see due to the time of the year) One thing that would be possible is Lehman Caves. Lehman Caves reminded me a little bit of Antelope Canyon (pretty developed for the average tourist) but was still a really, really cool cave. It was cheap (yes they charge an additional fee for the cave tour) but well worth it. (ill post some pics later. they were taken with my first digital camera a 3mp!)

As for Valley of Fire I have mentioned I really like it and have been several times but it is also not off the tourist radar. You will see people and at the major trailheads may even have a difficult time finding parking (on holiday weekends especially) the developed trails will have people hiking them but it is easy in valley of fire to just go find your own things by getting off any trail, following random washes into the slickrock and probably not see a soul. The only place we saw other people was the fire wave (one of the most popular haunt for sunset photographers)

Another option for you to think about is off of Gold Buttes Backway. It is a place commonly called Devils Fire, or Hobgoblins Playground, or.... it has several names. I will go look up some pics of this place and post them later as well (plus you could go see falling man! lol) but this option would add around 4 hours just in drive time.

 

[Seldom Seen Anderson]

Oh ya also I am heading to Death Valley (second time) this February probably so Ill for sure write a TR before you head this far south, although our main goal will by road biking Im sure I will be able to do a lil hiking.

 

[Seldom Seen Anderson]

Great Basin




Excuse the quality! As mentioned these were with my first digital point and shoot! I didnt know about ISO, need of a tripod, AV, TV, well heck I doubt this camera had anything other than auto!

 

[Seldom Seen Anderson]

Devils Fire/Whitney Pocket

 

[AustinCronnelly]

I'd really like to see the Bristlecone Groves at GBNP, but I don't know if they would be accessible that time of year. Valley of Fire would be my vote. Lots of stuff to see and an all around easier drive for you.