About an hour southeast of Ely, Nevada, we found an unexpected gem in our travels. On a bit of a whim, I decided to go just a few miles out of the way to Great Basin National Park, which is so remote that not many people make it out that far. Wikipedia says that it gets 79-89,000 annual visitors. (This compared to Bryce Canyon’s 1 million and Yellowstone’s 3 million.)

We unhitched and parked the trailer at a roadside ranching exhibit just outside of the park. At 5,800 feet the outside temperature according to the truck was 92 degrees. We drove from there up the winding switchbacks of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. By the time we reached the highest point in our hike up the trails to Stella and Teresa lakes, we were at 10,400 feet and the temperature was a very mild 66 degrees.

It was amazing to go from some of the driest desert in the country to a mountain oasis where we could have a picnic in the pine trees and the boys could goof off in still un-melted snow drifts.

If you ever find yourself between Ely and, I don’t know, Milford? Be sure to take in this park. Amazing hiking, scenery, and escape from the desert. The drive to the top only takes about 20 minutes.