The Great Basin Ntl Prk, Ghost Towns, and Wildlife: What a GREAT trip. PIX!

[beaverretriever]

My wife, my mom, dad and I took a few days to head up to the Great Basin area of NV. This was one of the best trips of my life. My parents have been taking me to areas like this since I was a little kid but now I really appreciate it. We went to very remote and historic places that get very few visitors a yr. BTW, Great Basin National Park is the least visited Ntl Park in the US. It shouldn't be, it is absolutely amazing.
I can't begin to tell you what a blast we had and the pictures don't do this beautiful, unbelievable, place justice. It is really fun going with my parents. They are like walking, talking history/geography books and know more about the old west than anyone I know.
Just a few of the places we saw were Pioche, Eagle Lake, Ward land site and the Charcol Ovens, Great Basin National Park, Lehman Caves, tons of wildlife including but not limited to, elk, deer, wild turkey, antelope, and bald eagles. We drove on lonely roads and didn't see another car for hours. We looked over valleys that were carved millions of yrs ago and still have areas that the human foot has not walked on.
I would take me a week to write about this trip so I will cut it short. People with kids need to expose them to these places. I think it makes them better people and they will apreciate this wonderful land we live in.
These are just a few of the 1100+ photos my wife and I took on our trip. Yes that is snow on the ground in some of the pictures. Early in the morning there was about 4in everywhere.
Cathedral Gorge
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/1521028142_51534d31c3.jpg?v=0
Changing Fall colors in Snake Canyon in The Great Basin National Park
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2064/1520167783_ab55f8bedc.jpg?v=0
Keepin warm by Snake Creek
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2330/1521029578_a4b7ca27bf.jpg?v=0
Wheeler Peak
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2274/1520170449_814316c7f6.jpg?v=0
100s of miles of beautiful open country.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/1521031438_bd4e1bdb63.jpg?v=0
Wild Turkeys.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2168/1521030054_cb62ce9023.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2278/1521032340_6391037903.jpg?v=0
The open road. You could literally take a 2hr nap on this hwy and not worry about getting hit...LOL
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2303/1521031886_9771f2bb97.jpg?v=0
Road on the train in ELY. Unfortunately the steam engines were being repaired but my dad and I got to ride in the cabin of the Diesel/Electric Locomotive. Very cool.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/1520133953_0f4dda8d95.jpg?v=0
My Pops.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2100/1520989198_39607b0aba.jpg?v=0

[beaverretriever]

Ward Cemetery (circa 1870s) About 25 miles outside of Ely NV.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2350/1520991108_7d10183ccc.jpg?v=0
Ward Charcol Ovens (1870s).
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2022/1520132209_10cab2607e.jpg?v=0
Nice little creek near the Charcol Ovens.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2075/1520130739_6a737c7378.jpg?v=0
Condemed mine at Ward. We walked up to the opening (it was not blocked off) and there were still the original ore cart tracks going deep inside.:eek:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2243/1520997524_8c824b692d.jpg?v=0
Buffalo ranch out side of Ely. What a neat piece of Americana.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2303/1520133437_115a82d16c.jpg?v=0

[beaverretriever]

Pioche made Bodie and other ghost towns in the late 1800s look like elementary school. 75 people were murdered before the first person died of natural causes when Picoche came about. :eek:
The "Million Dollar Court House" in Pioche the living ghost town. Very cool story about this place.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/1520200527_51d40bd2d0.jpg?v=0
The jail in the courthouse. Many murderers have been locked up in there.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2302/1521061738_fc56057fb9.jpg?v=0
The big Ford dealership in Pioche...LOL.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2029/1521062318_22fac84775.jpg?v=0
Though Rainbow Canyon on the way to Elgin (population 3)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2024/1520200061_752c0494a2.jpg?v=0
Apple Orchard in Rainbow Canyon.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2353/1521063888_f8916891c1.jpg?v=0
1 room shool house in Elgin. No longer being used, but was used into the 80s by ranch children.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2026/1520201617_9493932af2.jpg?v=0
Road from Elgin back to Vegas. 65 miles of dirt road. That is a Desert Tortoise. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2056/1520202807_6e3f5eb6bf.jpg?v=0

[caroftheweek]

great pics. thanks for sharing

[BigDoug]

Very very cool pics, i enjoyed that !! :)

[Kilrtoy]

WOW, sweet pics...

[Phat Matt]

Nice pics dude. :)

[OCMerrill]

Very Cool! Sounds like you had a great time.:)

[beaverretriever]

Very Cool! Sounds like you had a great time.:)
Probably one of the best trips I have ever had. We have been to Northern NV a ton of times, but this time was just amazing.
I keep looking at these pix and I am sure people will think we just got them off of another site. They look unreal to me.
I feel bad for families that don't do this kind of thing. I feel bad for families that don't teach their kids that there is more to life than video games, having the hot clothes and the mall.
It is sad that many people think all there is to NV is Las Vegas and the rest is a waste land. I think this is some of the most beautiful country in the U.S.
I can't believe that anyone could litter up this planet and not care what they do to the environment. This country is amazing. :)

[shueman]

Nice pix...beautiful work... :cool:

[beaverretriever]

A couple more.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2129/1520170107_b78de3ae44.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2141/1520166385_3ca55b7096.jpg?v=0
Posted inside the train...LOL :)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2222/1520990628_9b66536b6e.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/1520132731_8a1d66d178.jpg?v=0

[beaverretriever]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2027/1520988590_b771563b81.jpg?v=0
Many of the people in the Ward Cemetery were murdered over mining claims. The oldest person in cemetery was only 66.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2294/1520997092_2fc84d7428.jpg?v=0

[Garrddogg]

Wow bro those are some awsome pics.. Thats the kind of trip Id like to do..:D
Thanks for sharin the pics.. I dig on that old history type stuff.
Gary

[beaverretriever]

Wow bro those are some awsome pics.. Thats the kind of trip Id like to do..:D
Thanks for sharin the pics.. I dig on that old history type stuff.
Gary
We literally took 1100+ photos. These are just the begining. The trip was cheap. Gas is what ends up costing the most. We drove about a 1000 miles. The whole trip just flew by. I was a little depressed coming back home yesterday. :( :(

[That Guy]

Really great pics...thanks for sharing...:)

[ratso]

Cool pics!:D

[Mrs. Bordsmnj]

Super cool! This is our kind of trip. We have done lots of exploring up in the Sierras. Just finally hit up Bodie over Labor Day weekend. I am absolutely fascinated by the "old west".
Thanks for sharing! :D

[2Driver]

Really Cool.
Be nice if you had time to list a rough set of driving directions

[shippingguy]

That is very cool. I would like to make that trip some time. Great pics.
Mike

[fat rat]

Cool pic's............on my list of places to visit.

[nodigg]

Thanks for sharing. I would like to print and frame the old 30's sedan hulk.
With your permission of course. Can you send me an email jpeg??

[Not So Fast]

I didnt recognize your wife with her clothes on;) :D :D On a more serious note where is this, how many miles did you put on, did you just stay in motels along the way, None of this reservation crap?, how many days ect. More info, we are retired and I am looking for this kind of trip exactly. We are going to the Grand canyon on the railraod trip the middle of this month but I can't believe the cost for a one nite stay, train ride, and a breakfast & dinner. We upgraded to 1st class and its expensive, at least to me:idea: So your trip sounds like what I want to do, more info please, pm me if you like, Thanks, NSF

[hkunz]

Great photos, and heads up on yet another awesome vacation spot.:)

[havaduner]

Nice pictures! Thanks for sharing, that is the kinda trip I would like to make. What I liked best in those pictures was there wasnt a million other people in the way!

[Tequila-John]

Great pics bud. Thank for sharing. Looks like a nice relaxing time for sure

[MrsGHT]

Wow, those are great John. Don and I will have to go there sometime with the kids, they'd love it. Thanks for posting those.:D :D

[Flyinbowtie]

Nevada is an incredibly serene and beautiful place, and getting off the main drag and hitting the back country is a wonderful way to spend time.
Glad you enjoyed it.
I feel the same way about it that you do.

[beaverretriever]

Thanks for sharing. I would like to print and frame the old 30's sedan hulk.
With your permission of course. Can you send me an email jpeg??
I will let my wife know tonight. I don't know how to do any of that crap...LOL :D

[That Guy]

My only disappointment with your pics is that you couldn't find a way to get Daly in a bikini.....:D :) :D

[beaverretriever]

I didnt recognize your wife with her clothes on;) :D :D On a more serious note where is this, how many miles did you put on, did you just stay in motels along the way, None of this reservation crap?, how many days ect. More info, we are retired and I am looking for this kind of trip exactly. We are going to the Grand canyon on the railraod trip the middle of this month but I can't believe the cost for a one nite stay, train ride, and a breakfast & dinner. We upgraded to 1st class and its expensive, at least to me:idea: So your trip sounds like what I want to do, more info please, pm me if you like, Thanks, NSF
We stayed in Ely at the Prospector the nicest place in town at about 75 bux a night. Ely is a dump but you don't go to that area to be in Ely but the stuff around it. Although Ely has a ton of history and some cool things to see, it is a depressed mining town, so that should tell you a little bit.
We drove from Vegas straight to the National Park first stopping briefly along the way at the Cethedral Gorge outside of Caliente for a few minutes (I have been numerous times, but the wife has not seen it).
You take the 93 north till you hit a fork in the road. One way goes to Ely and the other to the Park.
Overall we put on about a 1000 miles in 3 days including all the misc driving around to the old mining sites, park, etc.
This had to be one of the best trips of my life. Like I said, it is great to go with someone like my parents that have been going since they were young.
BTW Steve, it was about 25 degrees much of the day at the Great Basin Park...LOL Bikinis were not happening.:D :D

[That Guy]

BTW Steve, it was about 25 degrees much of the day at the Great Basin Park...LOL Bikinis were not happening.:D :D
Underachiever.....:D :D :)
I'm just kidding....great pics....

[Unitek]

Very nice pictures. Looks like you had a nice trip !

[Waist Deep]

That looks awesome. Looks like a great trip to take the kids on. I'm assuming you can't go too much later because of the weather?
You saw a helluva lot for 3 days.

[~FM]

Thank-you for sharing your trip pictures. I may never get to visit any of those sights myself but seeing them through your eyes was a treat. :)

[Froggystyle]

You aren't going to believe this, but you were only a couple of miles away from where I went exploring with Audrey last year. We were south of Caliente, and turned off the "road" right around Elgin for the big Rhino trek up the canyons to find the F4 Phantom wreck.
Here were some of our pics...
Getting started right at the trailhead outside of Moapa...
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/47-2/DSC06155.JPG
View from the second night's campsite... It also shows how far we hiked for the F4 wreck, and where the Rhino made it to before it just couldn't go any further...
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/65-2/Rhino+Valley+copy.jpg
Zoom in on the previous pic of Rhino in Valley...
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/68-2/Rhino+Valley+Zoom.jpg
This is Aud traversing some of the rock face...
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/71-2/Audrey+Traversing.jpg
Aud after finding the crash site...
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/83-2/F4+Wing.jpg
Izzy with a backpack on... She hated me for a while for this one...
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/89-2/Izzy+with+backpack.jpg
Here is me at the second night's camp. You can see where the F4 site is... but we didn't know that yet. We knew it was in the area, but not specifically where within a mile or so.
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/104-2/Wes+with+crash.jpg
There are a bunch more pics at the Rhino Addict site...
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/v/Rhino_Addicts/Froggystyle/Froggystyle/

[plaster dave]

Great pics.

[Jbb]

You aren't going to believe this, but you were only a couple of miles away from where I went exploring with Audrey last year. We were south of Caliente, and turned off the "road" right around Elgin for the big Rhino trek up the canyons to find the F4 Phantom wreck.
Here were some of our pics...
Getting started right at the trailhead outside of Moapa...
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/47-2/DSC06155.JPG
View from the second night's campsite... It also shows how far we hiked for the F4 wreck, and where the Rhino made it to before it just couldn't go any further...
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/65-2/Rhino+Valley+copy.jpg
Zoom in on the previous pic of Rhino in Valley...
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/68-2/Rhino+Valley+Zoom.jpg
This is Aud traversing some of the rock face...
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/71-2/Audrey+Traversing.jpg
Aud after finding the crash site...
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/83-2/F4+Wing.jpg
Izzy with a backpack on... She hated me for a while for this one...
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/89-2/Izzy+with+backpack.jpg
Here is me at the second night's camp. You can see where the F4 site is... but we didn't know that yet. We knew it was in the area, but not specifically where within a mile or so.
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/104-2/Wes+with+crash.jpg
There are a bunch more pics at the Rhino Addict site...
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/v/Rhino_Addicts/Froggystyle/Froggystyle/
And it was at the crash site where Aud and Wes stumbled upon Hampton.....and Tanya.......and their lives have been forever changed...:jawdrop:
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=40810&stc=1&d=1191969132

[Froggystyle]

And it was at the crash site where Aud and Wes stumbled upon Hampton.....and Tanya.......and their lives have been forever changed...:jawdrop:
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=40810&stc=1&d=1191969132
She looked strangely.... familiar... :D
Greasy...

[beaverretriever]

You aren't going to believe this, but you were only a couple of miles away from where I went exploring with Audrey last year. We were south of Caliente, and turned off the "road" right around Elgin for the big Rhino trek up the canyons to find the F4 Phantom wreck.
I remember seeing your pix last yr.
You will have to go check out north of there. Amazing country.

[mike37]

I love the outdoors wish we could get out more
great pics thanks

[RitcheyRch]

Looks like an awesome trip. Makes me want to go on vacation.

[Riverkid]

sure put a lot of gear on Aud... How'd she do?
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/71-2/Audrey+Traversing.jpg

[mrs.rvrluvr]

Awesome pics. Thanks so much. Mr.rvrluvr and I want to plan a trip there now. :)

[GHT]

WOW! Those are sweet pictures! We need to get the Down Low on the vacation. I'll bet my kids would love it. Looks like you picked the right time of year too.
Hey when are ya'll heading out to the lake again?

[Sportin' Wood]

Thanks for sharing! Looks like a great time.
~Angie

[beaverretriever]

Wow, I honestly didn't think I would get one reponse to this post. :)
I know there were a few interested in the general area we were in and the roads we took, so here is a basic map of the route.
The city of Baker NV on the right side is the entrance to the Great Basin Ntl Park.
http://www.hellodaly.com/uploaded_images/Mapquest-701147.jpg

[Froggystyle]

sure put a lot of gear on Aud... How'd she do?
http://www.rhinoaddict.com/rhino_gallery/d/71-2/Audrey+Traversing.jpg
She did great. Poor dog ended up getting carried out though. You think Aud has a lot of gear, you should have seen what I was carrying. She had a 30 pound ruck carrying essentially her woobie gear and sleeping bag. I carried the food, water, tent, cooking gear, first aid kit, maps, lights, etc... Plus my own woobie gear.
Dog had about 5 pounds. Proportionally quite a bit though.
Izzy tore the pads on her feet, so I ended up putting her up on my ruck and hiking her out the last mile or so. My ruck was only 85 pounds or so by that point, so add her 45 pounds and you get a heavy load in terrain like that. To her defense, she didn't even squirm up there a single bit. She knew what kind of a deal she was getting, and just hung on for the ride.

[Froggystyle]

Wes, what was the deal with the crash site? I don't remember seeing any posts about it.
Oh, and really nice pics John. I'm not super outdoorsy, but I can appreciate something nice like that.
Here is the link to the story...
http://www.***boat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134788&highlight=phantom

[AZJD]

Nice! I would love to ride that area.

[Froggystyle]

Nice! I would love to ride that area.
Get a SXS and some camping gear... our trip is coming up in a couple of months!
I found some new crash sites from some old military crash records that I want to go check out. Same relative area... except these are skunk works planes from Groom Lake(Area 51)

[058]

Great pics. I hope to make that trip in the next year or two. Could you post some more of the pics? I'd love to see more.

[Wet Dream]

Fantastic trip. Thanks for sharing.

[mbrown2]

Very cool pics Beaver...what time of year was that?

[beaverretriever]

Very cool pics Beaver...what time of year was that?
Last weekend... Oct 5th through 8th. We couldn't have gone during a better time.

[mbrown2]

Last weekend... Oct 5th through 8th. We couldn't have gone during a better time.
Maybe I missed it but how far is (driving time) is Ely from Vegas?

[beaverretriever]

Maybe I missed it but how far is (driving time) is Ely from Vegas?
5 hrs give or take 30 mins either way.

[BajaMike]

Great pics........:D