I just wanted to say thanks for the comments/feedback! As for your replies;
sabconsulting wrote:
A great trip report to an easily missed part of the country, and what a fantastic information resource you have provided too - many thanks for putting in the effort to gather all that information.
Steve.
Steve, my pleasure sir! The internet is a wonderful thing for research. I'm always pleasantly surprised and amazed how much the SW part of the USA has to offer. The Desert has a beauty all its own no doubt. GBNP is really a gem and like you've seen from the comments most folks just zoom on by. It is definitely a place worthy to visit. Cheers mate!
Xpd77 wrote:
Thanks for the TR. I don't think I even knew that NP existed. I will be adding it to my list of places to visit.
Xpd77, Yep, most folks are unaware of it. Its a bucket list add for sure. Off the beaten path but, that's what makes this a gem! Thanks
805gregg wrote:
Thanks for the photos and descriptions, looks like a place we will have to visit
805gregg, Anytime! ....Just trying to compete with some of the TC site patriarchs who put together some outstanding TR's with superb prose ;) Late summer, early fall or late spring might be best time to visit but it all depends on what you want to do and see. The Wheeler Peak Scenic drive road gets closed during winter...even to snow machines I think.
cewillis wrote:
That's a really interesting report. I've driven 93 south to north - next time I'll stop a while.
Cal, Like you we zoomed past many times...kept seeing the signs but didn't pay much attention--go figure. With a little research it moved up the priority visit list. And, the time of year we picked just couldn't have been any better. Stop and stay - you'll be happy you did!
Reddog1 wrote:
As I recall, there was only one small sign on highway 50 when we were there in April 2005. It was a brown sign, so small I just caught a glimpse of it and after passing it I turned around to see what it said. It is one of those places you stumble on to, unless you were told about it, and researched where it is.
Wayne, I think there are two signs now but probably even smaller :D. In all seriousness there are not allot. There are signs saying "Great Basin HWY" on 93 and I noticed one on HWY 50 for the turnoff. Gotta wonder if that's the reason it a "least visited" NP....hmmmm
Pangaea Ron wrote:
NVR2L82AV8
Thanks for responding to everyone, that needs to happen more.
Ron, maybe this will start a trend on TR's....Thanks.
GoinThisAway wrote:
Superb! The maps really help with orientation. An interesting area. Nevada is thought of as a empty place but I can see there's actually a lot to see there. Thanks.
GoinThisAway, I'm an aviator/pilot--probably couldn't tell. So, I'm big into pulling out the charts and doing a lil' pre-study. Plus, when I get into Google Earth and Google Maps I find all kinds of other areas, roads, access points etc for the adventure. Takes a little time but it gives a guy a smidgen of familiarity before arrival. As a NW native, I too always thought of NV as just desert...man, have I been surprised! I got many more destinations planned...just gotta find the time!
c.traveler2 wrote:
Very good TC report, especially like the cave photos.
Alex, I've done a little spelunking in my past and this cave would have been a gem to discover. What I found perplexing was how these explorers explored the cave in the 1800s with just tin cans and candles. Some of the passageways were no more than a foot tall...just amazing! And, it wasn't just men. They will show you where a pair a women explorers marked their path as well. I thought my photos came out well but seeing it in person its unreal!
spacedoutbob wrote:
Great Trip Report and Photos, Thanks for posting. I have never visited Great Basin, I will check it out one of these days.
Bob in Calif.
Bob, Absolutely! Pick a time and just bolt....its a little bit of a trek from Cali but well worth it!! And, you can get away from the traffic. Heck, I drove 200 miles and not one person passed me (not that I was speeding) just sayin'
Royals Fan wrote:
Great photos!
Tim, Thanks! I need to start using my Go-Pro (for action videos) more but I'm still tied to my 35mm Nikon still frame camera. Plus, I think it's probably impossible to imbed videos on the site, although you can quickly link to YouTube like BuzzCut always does. Maybe later....
Bigfootchevy wrote:
Looked like a Great trip, thanks for sharing.
Paul
Paul, Thanks! I've been amazed how much info some of the senior members have archived in TR's on this site. It really is a goldmine of info. However, I did not find one TR on Great Basin so figured I'd craft one up. Sounds like lots of folks enjoyed it.
jefe 4x4 wrote:
Nothing if not thorough. We camped at the 9900 foot camp one summer to escape the heat on our way out Hwy 50, "The loneliest highway in America". It looks like we missed a lot of the 'action' there.
jefe
Jefe, Thanks man!! Not to many places on the mountain to take your 4x4 off-road. Now, down in the lower areas/creeks it looks like there are some opportunity according to the maps. I could have stayed a few more days 'splorin but work got in the way. BTW - Mike's tribute/interview with ya was a great read. You definitely fall into the TC patriarch category (not aging ya) cause I know you're young at heart!
bka0721 wrote:
NVR2L82AV8, what a great TR with detailed information and photographs. Loved the local. I have traveled through the area with others, but it is long overdue for me to get in there and explore for weeks, as my nature is. Love the links and sharing. It is always fun to see an OP responses via the style of Whazoo.
O.K., where are you taking us next?!! I call Shotgun!
b
b, Thanks - but even with a few college degrees I can't compete with Whazoo's TR prose (another patriarch). To come up with the things he writes he's got a unique talent (or is it twisted--I don't know) for sure....His pics aren't bad either!! None the less, I enjoy his TRs immensely!
As for the next destination it's gonna be either NV, UT or Cali hopefully later in the fall. I had a 4 day Bryce Canyon trip all planned for Labor Day weekend but just had to postpone that. So, yea lookin' forward to the next one for sure!! I'll save you a front row seat!
Mote wrote:
Thanks for the great pictures and descriptions. It's nice to see families with older children getting out and enjoying time together. All these wonderfull trip reports you all write continue to show to me just how beautiful this country is and that we need to get out West.
Mote, Yea, we've been blessed with some great kids!! They're military brats so they enjoy getting out and checking out the world. I too am amazed how beautiful this country is...its certainly special/blessed and we all need to do our part to keep it that way on so many fronts!!
delosholly wrote:
My wife and I visited that park a few years back, but we did not "experience" the park like you did. Now we need to get back there!! One side note is that we got to stay two nights for free in Ely at a casino!! Full connections including cable TV!! And there was Garnet Hill just outside of town where you can dig up your own garnets for free on BLM land. At least that was when we were there.
Great trip report and great pictures.
Delos & Holly, NV Casinos do offer some great deals to RV'rs. I stayed in one at Pahrump a few months back and was pleasantly surprised--low cost and lots of amenities. I'll have to look for some garnets next time I'm up in that area. BLM land is wonderful for boondocking and exploring no doubt. Roll Tide!
Thanks for all the comments folks!! Until next trip...Happy Camping!!
