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Travel Nevada
Great Basin National Park
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Beaver Dam State Park
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Cathedral Gorge State Park
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Echo Canyon State Park
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Kershaw-Ryan State Park
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James Salvas
Lehman Caves
Story & photos courtesy Travel Nevada
Summer/Fall Trekking South to Las Vegas on the “Great Basin Highway”
Western Canadians heading south whose final destination is Nevada, Arizona, California, or Mexico can also take a route through Nevada along Hwy 93, the “Great Basin Highway”, where they will experience fragile cave ecosystems, some of the best stargazing anywhere, canyons, fishing, cycling, hiking and landscapes that are a photographer’s paradise.
Trundling south along the eastern side of the state, the locals know and love this route, which has six major parks, canyons, and relics of the Wild West.
Start at Great Basin National Park where mountains, valleys, unique foliage and animals abound. A paved road takes you to the 3000 m (10000 ft) mark of Mt. Wheeler. Press on by foot if you dare, to the top of this 4000m (13000 ft) peak. Sights also include the famous Lehman Caves, a renowned marble cave ecosystem ornately decorated with stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, and flowstone. It’s so delicate, touching anything or collecting of cave formations is strictly prohibited and only handheld cameras can be brought in – no tripods.
Next you can visit Pioche, Echo Canyon and Spring Valley State Parks which are roughly three hours north of Las Vegas, see rocky outcrops formed by volcanic activity up to 125 million years ago. The cliff walls of Echo Canyon State Park are composed of lava flows, and a vast lake covered this area about a million years ago. As it dried, veins of chalcedony (a form of silica) or “desert rose” were exposed and are abundant in the area.
Neighbouring Spring Valley State Park is a popular area for fishing, camping and sightseeing. Visitors also enjoy hiking, exploring and touring the historic Ranch House museum. Mormon pioneers settled this part of eastern Nevada in 1864. The Stone Cabin is a prime example of the homes they built – but archaeologists believe this area was occupied as long ago as 5,500 B.C. The large rock outcrop near the center of the valley, known to many as George Washington Rock, may have also been used as a lookout.
Wind and weather have eroded dramatic and unique patterns in the soft bentonite clay in this long narrow valley at Cathedral Grove State Park. It’s a hiker’s dream with trails that lead to cave-like formations, cathedral-like spires and slot canyons. A lookout at Miller Point near the park entrance offers excellent views of the scenic canyon, which actually “hides” below grade. Stark and vegetation-free, the slopes here stand in sharp contrast to the valley floor above, where primrose and Indian ricegrass hold small sand dunes in place. Be on the lookout for black-tailed jackrabbits, cottontail rabbits, packrats, kangaroo rats, mice and gophers
The western-era town of Caliente is steeped in history, and a favourite writing spot for novelist Zane Grey. Nearby, Kershaw-Ryan State Park has a colourful, scenic canyon with steep walls towering to 200 m (700 ft) overlooking a long, narrow valley. Early settlers in the area cultivated grape vines and, fruit providing a beautiful contrast to the rugged landscape.
A few minutes further east take you to Beaver Dam State Park with deep canyons, flowing streams, waterfalls, and forests that have beckoned people for centuries.
To learn more about the many adventures to explore on your next trip south to Nevada, visit www.travelnevada.ca, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/travelnevada and follow us on Twitter @travelnevada