Wheeler Peak June 2024

 
I had a free day and needed to get some exercise and acclimated to higher elevations to help do my work this summer. So I decided the day before to go for a hike up Wheeler Peak in Great Basin National Park. But on the morning of the hike, my friend who was going to go with texted that she couldn't go. And my daughter who was going to go woke up not feeling well enough. Was this a sign I should cancel? I took the dog outside and saw some cool clouds and decided to go for it.

I drove up to the trailhead and saw only two other vehicles. Wow, that wasn't many, especially since I was there at 7:40 am, not particularly early. I sauntered down the trail, hands in my pockets. The aspens were lovely.

There was still a fair bit of snow on the mountains, almost like icing on a cake, highlighting the folds and corners.

I figured I should try to get a photo with a person it it, which meant that I would be in it since there wasn't anyone else around. I had forgotten to bring a tripod, so balanced the phone on some rocks. It didn't come out great, but you get the idea.

The clouds were so cool! The dappled reflection even showed in Stella Lake as I kept making my way up to treeline.

There was some snow on the trail, but not much. Over 95% of the trail was snow-free, and I didn't need the microspikes or gaiters I had brought (or the puffy coat or the wind coat). I had one hiking pole but just used it on the way down.

There were very few flowers blooming below treeline, but as I got into the alpine zone, I saw more and more color. I was so excited, especially with the cool clouds.

I was passed by a couple people. Here's one starting up the next switchback. I felt a little slow but reminded myself that I wasn't in a race, I could go whatever speed I wanted, within my body's limitations.

The tiny flowers were such a delight!

A tiny daisy.

The stinky sky pilot (Polemonium viscosum). The smell makes me feel a little nauseous, but it sure is pretty.

This moss campion (Silene acaulis) looked a little frazzled.

I skirted over to a snowbank and enjoyed the white on the ground and the white in the sky.

Looking to the east I could see the area above Teresa Lake I had explored last fall, with the clouds continuing over Snake Valley.

And looking up at the mountain, the Ross' aven (Geum rossii) lent a bit of color with Doso Doyabi and Wheeler Peak in the background.

I wasn't done searching for flowers yet!

The dappled clouds was making a very cool pattern on the ground in Spring Valley.

I kept getting distracted by the lovely flower gardens. Here's some purple alpine milkvetch (Astragulus kentrophyta), white phlox (Phlox pulvinata), and yellow buttercup (Potentilla sp.)

Passing a snow bank, I found a green Say's stink bug. They are common on snow.

As I got closer to the top, four people came down and were encouraging. That was nice, because I found my heart was racing and I did 10-20 stops and took a mini stop, then continued another 10-20 stops. I was certainly feeling the elevation!

The biggest snow patch was near the top, where there was a detour straight up.

And then I was at the top! It took me longer than I had expected, almost four hours. I usually tell people it's 3-4 hours up, but I'm usually closer to the 3 hours. I told myself that I had been at sea level just four days before, so I should give myself some slack, plus the important part was that I had made it. Plus I had really enjoyed getting some photos along the way.

There was a nice snow bank on top, along with two ladies who left shortly after I arrived. That meant I had the summit all to myself!

I put in a new trail register (the one I had placed last year was nearly full and will be turned into the park office). 

Then I headed to the other end of the summit ridge so I could get a good look at the rock glacier.

I wanted a better view, so I scampered down and along the way found a sky pilot to lend a bit of color to my view south of False Pyramid, Pyramid, and Baker peaks, with Mt. Washington in the distance. The first valley is the North Fork of Baker Creek, a place I haven't visited for many years.

I really like the wide angle feature on my phone. It let me capture part of Wheeler Peak on the left, Doso Doyabi on the right, and the rock glacier in the middle. There's a tiny ice glacier at the head, but it's currently covered by snow and some recent rock fall.

I ate a leisurely lunch, looked at birds (got some good views of black rosy-finches!), looked at the mountains, read, called my husband, and eventually decided I was ready to head down. Along the way I paused to photograph some Parry's primrose (Primula parryi). Most hasn't bloomed yet, but a few plants had started.

Stella Lake was looking very different than it had on the way up.

It took just over 2 hours to get back to the vehicle, with some slow trots interspersed with walking and one 10-minute break because I was hungry again and just wanted to sit down. It was such a gorgeous hike. Although I missed having company with me, I'm glad I did it and hope the next mountain hikes are a little easier. Time spent in the mountains is time well spent. I feel refreshed and energized (even though my feet are a little sore). I feel blessed to be able to explore the magnificent Snake Range of Nevada.

Thanks for reading this far!