Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [229]
Historic & Man-Made Attractions
Throughout the park are reminders of the region's mining days, and along several trails you will see the ruins of miners' cabins, mining equipment, and mine shafts and tunnels (which are dangerous and should not be entered). Just outside the visitor center is the historic Rhodes Cabin, which dates from between 1920 and 1932, when Clarence Rhodes and his wife, Beatrice, were custodians of the property for the U.S. Forest Service. The cabin, constructed of Englemann spruce and white fir, was one of nine tourist cabins built in the 1920s, along with a log lodge, a dining room, a dance hall, and a swimming tank. This particular cabin was rented to tourists until 1933, and from then until 1936, it was the home of the national monument custodian and his family. It was then used for storage before the Park Service restored it.
Day Hikes
There are a wide variety of trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging, high-altitude hikes. Higher-elevation areas may be closed by snow from late October until mid-June, and afternoon thunderstorms are common during July and August. Exposed ridges should be avoided during lightning storms. Hikers should also be aware that they may be sharing trails with rattlesnakes, which have the right of way.
Because of loose rock and steep grades on some trails, sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support are recommended. Hikers also need to carry plenty of water—usually 1 gallon per person per day. Park rangers emphasize that although the rocky alpine sections of the park at its highest elevations may appear rugged, they are quite fragile. Plants grow slowly, and even under the best of conditions, their survival rate is low. Therefore, hikers should be diligent about staying on trails and having the least possible impact on the land.
SHORTER TRAILS
Alpine Lakes Loop
2.7 miles RT. Easy to moderate. Access: Just north of Wheeler Peak Campground. With an elevation gain of only about 400 feet, this is a relatively easy and accessible trail, especially popular with families. However, keep in mind that those not accustomed to the 10,000-foot elevation may find any activity tiring. The loop can be hiked in either direction, passing through forests of spruce and pine trees, as well as meadows dotted with colorful wildflowers. Teresa and Stella lakes are shallow and clear, and the reflections of snowcapped peaks often appear in their smooth surfaces.
Bristlecone and Glacier Trail
4.6 miles RT. Easy to moderate. Access: Near Wheeler Peak parking area.
Those who want a relatively easy hike through a unique forest will enjoy this trail. It goes through a grove of bristlecone pines and then on to a view of an ice field and what is believed to be a rock glacier—a rock-covered permanent mass of ice moving very slowly downhill. Distance to the bristlecone pine grove is 1.4 miles one-way, and the ice field is another .9 mile. During summer, rangers often lead hikes to the bristlecone grove. Elevation is about 10,000 feet.
Lexington Arch
3.4 miles round trip. Moderate. Access: About 18 miles south of the visitor center off a dirt road; ask park rangers for specific directions and current road conditions.
This six-story arch is a bit out of the way, but the splendidly framed views through its 75-by-120-foot opening prove an ample reward. After driving into Utah and then following a dirt road, you will find yourself hiking a sunny path that takes you past wildflowers, mountain mahogany, fir, and pinyon. The easy-to-follow trail ends at the arch, which is unique because it has been carved from limestone, not sandstone as is usually the case in the American West. Some geologists believe it is not really an arch but a natural bridge (arches are formed by wind, rain, and ice, while bridges are created by the eroding force of streams and rivers).
Mountain View Nature Trail
.3 mile RT. Easy. Access: Outside the visitor center.
This is a self-guided