The larger Great Basin ecosystem is a 200,000 square mile area that drains inward. All precipitation in this region evaporates, sinks underground, or flows into lakes. No water reaches the ocean. Great Basin’s lowest point is 6,195 feet at Snake Creek and the highest point in Great Basin is 13,063 feet on Wheeler Peak. This …
Strawberry Creek hike didn’t have any strawberries, but it had plenty of fall color. In August 2016, lightning ignited the Strawberry Creek Fire. The fired burned over 4,700 acres of public and private land, 60% of which was part of Great Basin National Park. It’s starting to regrow and there is still a large portion …
There is a short little nature hike along the road to the lake hikes we did in Elko. It’s a fantastic way to learn about the valley. We stopped and took the time to walk the short half mile loop. Lamoille Canyon was extensively sculpted by glaciers in previous ice ages and you can see evidence of it. …
Our last hike in the Ruby Mtn Range left right from the Thomas Campground. It’s a quick but steady hike at 4.3 miles with1300′ in elevation gain. It tops out at 8900′ so take it slow if altitude bothers you. Whether it’s because it’s the last day of a series of high altitude hikes or …
After yesterday’s FANTASTIC hike to Lamoille Lake, we decided to hike to nearby Island Lake. Island Lake is a cirque lake, which is a lake that forms in a bowl-shaped depression carved into a mountain by a glacier. Who doesn’t like lakes? This hike was shorter than the previous day, but had more climbing. I’d …
Lamoille Canyon outside Elko, NV is the most amazing place you haven’t heard of. These are the Ruby Mountains and they are no joke. Known as the “Swiss Alps of Nevada,” the Ruby Mountains are a glacier-carved paradise full of endless outdoor adventure surrounded by alpine lakes and streams, tree-lined canyons, and towering peaks. Two …
For people who live full time on the road traveling, we don’t really like driving. I can’t stand to sit for more than a few hours so we never go far on moving days. After our stay at Mt. Hood we did a 4 day move to Elko, NV. On the way we saw a …
Originating on Mt. Hood, White River river flows for approximately 53 miles to its confluence with the Deschutes River. I did a quick 3.5 mile hike on two different mornings. The first morning clouds moved in fast and obscured my view so I tackled it the next morning when it was relatively clear. The hike …
After an overnight stop to see my aunt by Olympia, we drove up and over Snowqualimie Pass and are in Cle Elum for two weeks. With our $30 annual Discovery Pass we can camp for “free” in the forest. We found a nice quiet spot and are settled in. Our first day we hiked to …
Elk Mountain Loop up at Observation Point might be my favorite hike of the summer on the Olympic Peninsula. This is doable from Port Angeles as a day trip or you could add on and make it a longer backpacking trip. First you have to get to the trailhead. This entails driving up Hurricane Ridge …