Kent and I headed for the
Great Basin National Park in Nevada early Saturday morning. Just 20 miles from home we saw elk grazing near Kanarraville, where we normally see deer. Further up the road we saw an antelope. I guess it pays to get up early on your day off! After 3 hours of driving on pavement we turned onto Snake Creek Canyon Road, we spooked 2 deer along the 13 miles of dirt road on the way to the trail head. Our destination will take us to the historic Johnson Mill and Johnson Lake, gaining some 2,500 ft. in elevation. Whew! We saw several buildings and relics, as well as, beautiful Johnson Lake. The mine closed in 1935 due to an avalanche when the aerial tramway station collapsed. We had the whole place to ourselves with the exception of 1 snake and 2 other humans on a Saturday during the summer in a National Park...absolutely amazing! It was a fun day and I won't lie, it was a workout...but we made it!
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| Sign at the trailhead |
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| We thought it was odd that none of the signs agreed on the actual distance of the hike, it was 7.4 miles round trip |
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| Starting out on the trail, that's Pyramid Peak in the distance |
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| We are climbing and leaving the valley behind |
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| Greenleaf Manzanita in bloom |
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| Oregon Grape |
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| An unnamed peak in the distance |
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| Our first glimpse of Johnson Mill |
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| Built around 1916 |
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| It's in a pretty area, but definitely a crazy idea |
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| This settlement has stood the test of time |
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| How about a wooden doorknob |
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| Pretty flowers |
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| There was still a bit of snow on the trail |
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| Johnson Lake 10,740 ft. |
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| We made it! |
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| Aster growing among a quartzite boulder |
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| Aerial tramway used to transport scheelite which contained tungsten |
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| Historical garbage |
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| Crushed, but still cute |
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| Standing above the lake where the tram stopped at 10,850 ft. |
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| Johnson Lake isn't a big lake, but it is pretty! |
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| Heading back down the trail |
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| Pretty wildflowers on the trail |
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The cold water of Snake Creek felt good on our feet!
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| Aerial view of the Johnson Lake Trail |
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| A view of where we were! |
