Day 16 (7/28) Great Basin

Wheeler's Peak

Got a decent start today and set off for Wheeler's Peak; the 2nd highest in Nevada at 13,060. It started reasonable enough, I stupidly didn't bring a rain jacked even. It's a decent hike, 8.6 mi and 3,000 ft gain, and we clipped along well enough, though with maybe 1.5 to go, the rain came on. Not afternoon thunderstorms mind you (that's probably worse), just soaking mist and a wind. We trudged on for a while, but Kate had had enough and turned around. Without a raincoat and a bit chilly, I considered, though we were near a couple rangers doing maintenance and they said only a half mile to the top. I took off, determined to get there. In 15 min, I was there, disappointed I hadn't talked Kate into it. Worse (or better I guess), it stopped raining within minutes of reaching the top. The view wasn't fantastic, but solid to the west, and a goal accomplished is a hard feeling to beat.

Older than Jesus...

I wanted to see the Bristle Cone Pine Grove too, though Kate wasn't feeling the 2.8 mile hike so I headed solo, thinking I might not get a chance to see these guys for a while. It was a cool trek. They had some signs up for ones they had dated- some up to 3,200 years.

I'm not sure how I did this- or Kate for that matter as she had done a hike while waiting for me, but we trekked down to the small town, Baker to do a short run after all the hiking (and a little break). It was at least flat, and less elevation. Equally implausible, Kate found a little restaurant/bar managed by a couple of hippies (granolas?) that had good drinks and food. We did a couple margaritas and some guac and savored a job well done.

All in all, this park is amazing. at 90,000 people/yr it's definitely less traveled than almost any other you've heard of, it has mountains, cool hikes and a cave we didn't even get to. It's a bit out of the way, but might be worth swinging by again at some point.

Vitals:
Miles: N/A
Birds: Red Breasted NH, Pygmy NH, American Pipet, Golden Crowned Sparrow, Rosy Finch.
Plates: N/A