Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [230]
LONGER TRAILS
Baker Lake Trail
12 miles round trip. Moderate to strenuous. Access: End of Baker Creek Rd.
Following Baker Creek, this trail leads to Baker Lake, climbing from about 8,000 feet in elevation to over 10,500 feet. It passes through meadows and forests, past pinyon, juniper, aspen, and pine, changing with the elevation. It's a good choice for wildlife viewing; you are likely to see mule deer, rock squirrels, and a variety of birds. Anglers often stop to catch a trout in the creek (see "Fishing," below), and the trail provides excellent views of the surrounding peaks. Along the way, you pass the remains of a miner's log cabin before reaching picturesque Baker Lake.
Johnson Lake Trail
7.4 miles round trip. Moderate to strenuous. Access: End of Snake Creek Rd.
This rugged trail follows an old mining road, with an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet, before arriving at Johnson Lake. The lake bears the name of Alfred Johnson, who mined and processed tungsten here in the early part of the 20th century. The Johnson Lake Trail can be combined with the Baker Creek Trail to produce a loop, starting with the Baker Creek Trail and descending along Snake Creek. Parts of this loop are difficult to follow, and topographical maps and good mountaineering skills are needed.
Lehman Creek Trail
3.4 miles one-way. Easy. Access: Connects Upper Lehman Creek Campground with Wheeler Peak Campground.
Although there is a 2,100-foot elevation change along this trail, it's an easy downhill walk for those who start at Wheeler Peak Campground and have a vehicle waiting at Lehman Creek Campground. The trail mostly follows a bluff above Lehman Creek, crossing through several separate life zones and offering views of a wide variety of plant life, from sagebrush and cactus to forests of aspen, spruce, pinyon, and tall Douglas fir. Along the way you will also see mountain mahogany and, if your timing's right, an abundance of wildflowers.
Wheeler Peak Summit Trail
8.6 miles RT (from campground). Strenuous. Access: Summit Trailhead, about .5 mile from Wheeler Peak Campground, or from the campground on Alpine Lakes Loop Trail, which intersects with Summit Trail.
Those looking for stupendous panoramic vistas should consider this strenuous trail, which begins as a relatively gentle walk through a forest of pine and becomes considerably steeper as it reaches the tree line. Eventually you find yourself on the summit, at an elevation of 13,063 feet, the second-highest point in Nevada. During its 2,900-foot ascent, the trail passes through several plant communities, including forests of Englemann spruce and pine, before climbing above the tree line. This is generally an all-day hike, and rangers advise starting early so you're off the summit by the time afternoon thunderstorms appear. Hikers are also advised to carry plenty of drinking water, extra clothing, and rain gear.
Exploring the Backcountry The park has numerous opportunities for backcountry hiking, but few maintained trails. The most commonly used routes follow river valleys or ridgelines. Topographical maps, available at the visitor center, are essential; although backcountry permits are not required, rangers strongly recommend that those planning to go into the backcountry register and discuss their plans with park staff before setting out.
Backcountry camping is permitted in most areas, although not within a quarter-mile of most trails, in bristlecone pine forests, in Wheeler Peak and Lexington Day Use Areas, or within 100 feet of a water source. Backcountry campers are encouraged to use backpacking stoves; campfires are permitted below 10,000 feet elevation only, and you are not allowed to burn any wood from the bristlecone pine tree. Trash, including toilet paper, should be packed out, and human waste should