Wheeler Peak, Snake Range
Great Basin National Park and Lehman Caves
Revised December 2007 - please send updates to the webmaster
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GPS waypoints:
download GPX file
Wheeler Peak is in the Snake Range (southeastern Nevada), southeast of Ely (Where US-6 and US-50 meet) and near the small towns of Baker and Garrison on Hwy 487. According to DesertUSA.com "The roads above 8000 feet are usually closed in the winter because of snow. The park Visitor Center and Lehman Caves are open all year."
These trailheads are on the east side of the range, other trailheads exist but are not noted!
Wheeler Peak Campground and Parking Lot - See GPS Route WHEELER PEAK.
This is the tourist route. Lots of people, a huge parking lot, a wide trail, etc.
There is a bristlecone forest here, and some really nice lakes, but the real draw
of this trailhead for peak baggers is a short (8 miles round trip, 3000' gain)
day hike to the high point of the Snake Range... mostly on good trail.
Start in Baker (waypoint BAKENV), and follow the obvious signs to Lehman Caves
(waypoint LEHMAN). Stop there to make a tour reservation (it's worth it), then
go back to waypoint CAVEST and go the other way to reach the trailhead. You'll
go past the lower campground at Lehman Creek (waypoint LEHMCK) before hitting
the switchbacks that lead you to the 10000' trailhead near waypoint WHELTH.
This waypoint is not exact. Please send updates if you can!
Baker Creek - See GPS Route BAKER CREEK.
This is the route I've personally done - see my
2002 trip report
for details. The trail goes through a number of eco-zones, with different
trees and ground cover. A really swell hike to Baker Lake, where you are
in position to bay Pyramid the day you pack in. The next day you can climb
up to Baker's south ridge, bag Baker, and run the ridge north to Wheeler.
The third day is perfect for hiking out, cleaning up, and touring the caves.
As with the tourist parking lot, start in Baker (waypoint BAKENV), and follow
the obvious signs to Lehman Caves (waypoint LEHMAN). Stop there to make a
tour reservation (it's worth it), then go back to waypoint BAKERT and go the
other way to reach the trailhead. If you get confused by the roads, remember
you DO NOT CROSS THE RIVER with your car. Park at BAKETH where the road ends
and the trees get nicer.
Snake Creek - See GPS Route SNAKE CREEK.
This trailhead was on the Park Service map so I included it... but keep in
mind that I've never been there! Updates welcome!!
Starting south of Baker and north of Garrison on Hwy 487, turn west at waypoint SNAKET.
You'll go past a fish hatchery called the Spring Creek Rearing Station (waypoint SCREAR).
Continue up Snake Creek as far as you can, and park near the Shoshone Campground.
Waypoint SNAKTH is my best guess, but use your judgement.
Useful Links:
Overall map: (see topo map below)
Topo map: (see overall map above)
