ELY TO CATHEDRAL GORGE STATE PARK, NEVADA

PIOCHE

Feeling quite sad after our eagle episode we drove through Pioche, looking to cheer ourselves up. Considered to be one of the wildest mining camps in the west during the 1870's it did little to help. Sometimes we feel that all these wild west mining towns seem to make something out of nothing and this was no exception. Saw the mine and the aerial tramway then headed out to find our campsite at Cathedral Gorge State Park, which was impressive.

Eroded spires and towers of tan coloured bentonite clay gave this narrow valley a resemblance to a Gothic cathedral. Reminded us of a cross between the Badlands and a subdued mini Bryce Canyon.

CATHEDRAL GORGE FROM MILLER'S POINT

CATHEDRAL GORGE STATE PARK CAMPGROUND

THE MYSTERY OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE

As we drove along the lonely and straight 93 I spotted what looked like a bird at the side of the road. We stopped and walked back, as we got closer I said it looked like a dummy bird, it wasn't moving. But as we reached it we realised it was a Golden Eagle and it was alive!

We stayed with it for about 20 minutes, we were unsure what had happened but the bird was obviously stunned, it had its eyes closed and was just stood with head bowed. As Roy neared it , he moved slightly and opened his eyes. We noticed on the road there was signs of blood and poo, there was blood on his beak and his left back claw appeared to be bent the wrong way. When we looked at the photos later there was a small mark which possibly could have been a hole, had someone taken a shot at it?

Roy seemed to think that it had been hit by a car and was just stunned – I really hope so, leaving him all alone. so majestic despite being injured - I was in tears.

LOOKS A BIT LIKE A DUMMY

THAT'S THE NEAREST WE WILL EVER GET TO A WILD GOLDEN EAGLE - SO SAD

GOODBYE  

LEHMAN CAVES, GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK

Our last day here so we went to the other extreme and headed underground. Lehman Caves is a single cavern despite the name. It extends a quarter mile into the limestone and marble that flank the base of the Snake Range.

Lehman has all the usual formations like stalactites, stalagmites, columns, cave popcorn, draperies, flow stone and soda straws. But there was also rarities like shields – two roughly circular plates fastened like flattened clam shells, often with stalactites and draperies hanging from their lower plate.

The 90 minute tour was fabulous, this one showed that biggest is not always the best, having seen Mammoth, Carlsbad, Wind and Jewel, this one ranked among the best.

Oh and the night skies – out of this world!

Great Basin National Park....GREAT!

                                                            ONE OF THE SHIELDS

                                                                   MORE SHIELDS                

ATTEMPT ON WHEELER PEAK, GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK.

THERE IT IS - WHEELER PEAK, THE FLAT TOPPED MOUNTAIN ON THE RIGHT -LOOKS A LONG WAY AWAY!

We set off reasonably early for us to have a crack at the 13,063ft Wheeler Peak. The trail-head started at 10,160ft it was quite pretty at first but then we started to climb and the trail got worse, big rocks at times, Wheeler Peak is not a pretty mountain, just a huge lump of bare rock after you leave the tree line. I was doing OK and had only just got a bit of a headache as we crossed the saddle with two stone shelters. Up again and the trail deteriorated even more, Roy said he thought we had gone far enough, so we waited for a man to reach us coming down to ask if he had one of those fancy phones with the elevation on, he was an Aussie and he had an all singing , all dancing watch and told us we were at 12,342ft. He said the trail near the summit had snow and ice on.

It meant we only had 718 ft more to climb but believe me when you looked up at what was left it would have taken at least another hour and I agreed with Roy, so we turned around and went back to the shelter for lunch.

As we ate Roy said, no regrets, bless him, I think he turned back because of me but then the poor man does have all the gear to carry up so perhaps he’d had enough!

Quite a challenge for two oldies, we had climbed 2,182 ft and given it our best shot!

 THE SUMMIT ON THE RIGHT

THAT'S IT - TIME TO TURN AROUND

NOT THE EASIEST OF TRAILS AND THIS IS WHERE IT ENDED FOR US

BACK DOWN THE TRAIL FOR LUNCH AND NO REGRETS!

WHEELER PEAK ON THE RIGHT - WE GOT TO JUST BELOW THE LAST UPHILL TO THE FLAT TOP

BRISTLECONE, GLACIER TRAIL & ALPINE LAKES LOOP AT GREAT BASIN

WHEELER PEAK SCENIC ROAD - WHEELER PEAK IS ON THE RIGHT

We camped at 7,300 ft in an 11 site campground for $3 a night, water had been turned off but we did have a vault toilet, what more do you want.

Drove up the Wheeler Peak scenic drive to around 10,000 ft and had a 7½ mile round trip hike to the ancient Bristlecone Pines which are unbelievable and beautiful. On to a rock glacier, nestled beneath Wheeler Peak then to two sub alpine lakes which after seeing the majestic Bristlecone were a bit of a let down! A great hike, I seemed OK with just a bit of a headache when we got back, altitude seems to affect me more than Roy.

 

"ADVERSITY" BRISTLECONE PINE

RELUCTANCE TO DIE BRISTLECONE

3100 - 3300 YEARS OLD

3,200 YEARS OLD AND STILL ALIVE - THE TREE OF COURSE!

SMALL GLACIER ON LEFT, ROCK GLACIER ON RIGHT

STELLA LAKE