Out of curiosity we decided to visit the Great Basin National Park in 2005. We were amazed at the beautiful mountains. Hiking was out of the question, because there was so much snow! We took a 90 minute tour of Lehman Caves, a good choice! September 2006 we returned with plans to backpack into Baker Lake, the fall colors were beautiful; however we were forced to turn around due to a blizzard. Fast forward to 2013 we just returned from spending four days in the back country of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest near Ely and the Great Basin, driving through valleys, over summits, discovering new creeks and learning about history. Saturday we completed the Baker Lake trail! We had the lake all to ourselves, it was an awesome 11 mile hike! If you enjoy getting away from the crowds and seeing some beautiful country, and don't mind driving one of the loneliest highways around go for a drive and visit the Great Basin, you'll be glad you did.
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| Tahoe thought he was going to Nevada with us! |
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| We stopped to gather info on the Nevada streams we planned to visit |
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| Spring Creek Fish Hatchery is in the Snake Valley |
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| Wind power with the Schell Creek Range in the background |
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| We took State Hwy 893 |
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| Old mining cabin near Cleve Creek |
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| Good thing we didn't drive the Corolla |
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| A different view of the Snake Range at the Great Basin National Park |
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| Winds kicking up dust from Yelland Dry Lake |
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| Heading up to the Kalamazoo Summit |
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| Getting closer to the summit |
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| Looking over the south side towards Duck Creek Valley |
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| Sign showing where we came from |
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| Heading into Berry Creek in Duck Creek Valley |
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| A couple of cute does |
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| Berry Creek, a nice stream with no fish |
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| The view from the cabin window |
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| Remnants of the old cabin |
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| Sign showing where we were |
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| A spring fed cattle trough |
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| Near the Success Summit |
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| This sounds like a good place to fish |
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| Kids were having a good time swimming |
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| Arch up high in the cliffs |
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| We walked around to the other side of the lake |
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| A Heron enjoying the water |
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| Yes, there are fish in Cave Lake! |
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| It's a pretty spot |
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| This sign brings back memories, only last time it snowed on us |
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| So far, so good |
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| It was refreshing to walk among the aspens |
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| Bridges kept our feet dry from the springs and creek |
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| We are headed in the right direction |
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| Fireweed growing near the creek |
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| Kent kept pointing out all the perfect Christmas trees |
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| Gnarly tree roots |
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| Not all of the mountains are named, this being one of them |
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| We made it to Baker Lake! 10,620 ft. elevation |
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| Baker Lake is located in this beautiful cirque |
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| Kent always seems to find a comfortable place to rest |
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| Baker Lake is known to be quite large in the early summer after the snow melts |
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| Avalanche area near where Dieshman cabin once stood |
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| Pretty wildflowers along the streams |
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| Lush foliage growing around the trickling springs |
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| It was refreshing to listen to the creek flow as we made our way along the trail |
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| Looks like a lullaby moon lichen |
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| That's one big dead tree |
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| About a mile to go! |
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| We stopped for a break on the South Fork of the Baker Creek bridge |
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Almost back to the trailhead
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| Mt. Moriah Wilderness in the North Snake Creek Range |
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| We were told Hendry's Creek has fish, so we're here to check it out |
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| Hiking along Hendry's Creek trail |
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| Hendry's does have at least one water or garter snake! |
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| Remnants of a garnet processing mill at Hampton Creek |
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| Our last look at the Great Basin before we head for home |
