Backpacking Great Basin NP

Awesome video of the trip. I have always wanted to visit GBNP, now even more so.
 
Thanks. We love GBNP. We're heading back again in June. Depending on what you're looking for, and your camping/hiking style, you might be able to join us.
 
steve said:
Thanks. We love GBNP. We're heading back again in June. Depending on what you're looking for, and your camping/hiking style, you might be able to join us.
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I would love too, but I have a ways to go before I am ready for the over night trips. I have done some 15 mile hikes in Southern Utah but I don't have the equipment yet for backpacking. However watching all these trip reports is ferting me exxited to try it out sometime this year.
 
Backpacking is like hiking and camping on steroids, without the kidney failure. It's not tough to get started at all. I'll have to put together a "beginner's guide to backpacking" video sometime.
 
Exactly. I recommend backpacking a good 1/4 mile away from your car. That way you won't die if you forget something, but it's far enough away that you won't be tempted to run back to the car for the comforts of car camping.

You really only need a couple things for your first backpacking trip:
- tent
- sleeping pad
- sleeping bag
- food (you don't even need a stove if you pick the right food)
- small first aid kit
- a backpack to carry it all in
 
I just need a pack and a bag. I already have an ultralite tent and some ot the other items. I usually survive on MRE's so no stove needed :)
 
GBNP is on my list this year. I wonder if end of May would be doable for it?
 
I'll bet it would. We went first week of June and the only issues was the snow between baker lake and johnson lake, below pyramid peak. Wheeler peak looked like it still had a bit of snow that time of year. I'd be curious what you find out.
 
I subscribe to your youtube channel and remember watching this vid some time ago and it made me really think differently of Nevada. With the exception of Valley of Fire and the Lake Tahoe area, I always thought of Nevada as nothing but plain old boring desert. Your video makes GBNP look like quite the oasis. I also remember reading something somewhere that the bulk of Nevada, at least eastern Nevada had no bears. Is this true for GBNP?

@CaptnKidd If you want to get a nice pack but don't have lots to spend, I'd recommend having a look at some of Teton Sports offerings. They are based in SLC and I know some of their guys and could hook you up to go see their show room some time and get a good feel for their gear if interested. You can also find their stuff at Sportsmans Warehouse. Their Escape 4300 is a solid all around pack that is adjustable to fit a good range of body sizes and is right around $100. You can also look into second half stuff on sites like KSL or Craigslist. Just make sure you know your torso size. And if you're slim like me, making sure the waistbelt cinches down good and snug is important too.


Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk
 
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WasatchWill said:
With the exception of Valley of Fire and the Lake Tahoe area, I always thought of Nevada as nothing but plain old boring desert.
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No, you're right. Nevada is pretty much nothing but plain old boring desert. :) Well, except for valley of fire, tahoe, and great basin.


WasatchWill said:
aI also remember reading something somewhere that the bulk of Nevada, at least eastern Nevada had no bears. Is this true for GBNP?
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Zero bears in GBNP, which is AWESOME. I don't have anything against bears, I think they're cool, but I also think it's cool to leave the bear canisters at home.
 
steve said:
Zero bears in GBNP, which is AWESOME. I don't have anything against bears, I think they're cool, but I also think it's cool to leave the bear canisters at home.
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Agreed. I don't mind having to take the extra precautions against foraging bears when I know I'm intruding on their turf but it's a great luxury when you can keep your food closer to camp with the need to only protect food from smaller critters which can usually be done just by storing it in an OP bag.
 
Will, check out the Ruby Mountains. Another surprising paradise to be found in Nevada. But I agree, with a few surprises Nevada is pretty empty.

I've been trying to find a good spot to take my wife on her first short backpacking trip in June, I think GBNP might fit the bill nicely.
 
andyjaggy said:
I've been trying to find a good spot to take my wife on her first short backpacking trip in June, I think GBNP might fit the bill nicely.
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PM sent, I have a great idea for you (though I agree that GBNP would be a great choice).
 
andyjaggy said:
Will, check out the Ruby Mountains. Another surprising paradise to be found in Nevada. But I agree, with a few surprises Nevada is pretty empty.

I've been trying to find a good spot to take my wife on her first short backpacking trip in June, I think GBNP might fit the bill nicely.
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Noted. I'll google it. I was going to say, there's lots of great options right out of the valley here for short and scenic backpacking trips. I took my wife up Rock Canyon here in Provo as a first trip for her not long after we were married. Looks like Steve may have just PM'd you what I'm guessing to be his nearby secret spot. But hey, if you can make it out to a place like GBNP, awesome!
 
Ruby Mountains look absolutely spectacular, and, like Great Basin, should be accessible by the end of June. Nice for the time when the Uintas, Winds, etc still locked in snow, and canyon country is too hot.
 
LarryBoy said:
Ruby Mountains look absolutely spectacular, and, like Great Basin, should be accessible by the end of June. Nice for the time when the Uintas, Winds, etc still locked in snow, and canyon country is too hot.
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That's what I am thinking, I doubt you would find many if any people there as well. I want to get out there eventually but it probably won't happen this year.

Some good information here.

http://rubymountaintrails.blogspot.com/2010/09/ruby-crest-trail.html
 
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