Great Basin

August 10, 2010


After nearly 300 miles of driving, we finally rolled into the park.  All 20 primitive campsites were filled up, so we slinked our way down a long dirt road, pulled into a little clearing in the forest, and proceeded to fall quickly to sleep in the back of the pick-up.  2 AM rolls around, and we’re getting flashlights up in our grill, with the words, “Park Ranger, wake it up.”  We hadn’t a clue what was going on, but snapped too, and realized we were on land designated to not be slept on.  We pulled the classic, “Oh, we thought the Caribou weren’t supposed to sleep here, we didn’t know,” trick from the Chic-Chocs, and went on our merry way.  We found another unscrupulous camp site and slept it off until morning.

Piling out of the truck, we found this beast starring us down.  Ready and willing to be assaulted by the Haney Brothers.

Wheeler in all its prominent glory

Wink wink, it’s Nevada’s only glacier.  If you can even call her that.

The path of least resistance would follow from the saddle to the right, up and to the top.

ridin' the saddle

On the way up we found another thing Great Basin is famous for — Bristle Cone Pine Trees.

old as mold

They happen to be the oldest living single trees on the planet.

ohhai

Just because you’re old doesn’t mean you can thwart Dwyer’s smile,  nor his multitude of bushwhacking techniques.

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Read about the author:   Porter Haney

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11 Comments

  1. Harvey44
    wrote on August 10th, 2010 at 8:24 pm  
    1

    In 6 months, we expect pictures from that same spot in the 3rd to last pic!

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
    • Greg
      wrote on August 11th, 2010 at 10:40 am  
      2

      without a doubt, FIS is setting the bar high with expectations for the winter!!

    • Porter Haney
      wrote on August 11th, 2010 at 1:39 pm  
      3

      More like 10 months. Next May/June is probably the season. The park road closes and makes it a 2/3 night trip to tag any of this midwinter.

  2. Beef Wellington II
    wrote on August 10th, 2010 at 9:01 pm  
    4

    Excellent, thanks for sharing. UT rocks! :)

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
    • Beef Wellington II
      wrote on August 10th, 2010 at 9:03 pm  
      5

      …and NV, too!

    • Porter Haney
      wrote on August 11th, 2010 at 1:39 pm  
      6

      Rocks and rolls Wellington. Come explore the wilds of the west.

  3. christian
    wrote on August 10th, 2010 at 10:46 pm  
    7

    i would say the fancy is a little to tickler’s right. let us know how she giggles, boys.

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
  4. christian
    wrote on August 10th, 2010 at 10:52 pm  
    8

    i would say the fancy is a bit to tickler’s right… let us know how she giggles, boys.

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
    • Greg
      wrote on August 11th, 2010 at 10:39 am  
      9

      comment of the week!

    • Porter Haney
      wrote on August 11th, 2010 at 1:45 pm  
      10

      COTW

  5. Sam
    wrote on August 11th, 2010 at 1:48 pm  
    11

    loving that last photo

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
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