Wide valleys of sagebrush covered plains land interspersed with narrow pine covered mountain ranges. The pattern repeats itself all across this section of the country.  Great Basin National Park is a parcel that contains a bit of both and is considered a desert mountain island with the tallest peak, Wheeler Peak, over 13,000 feet tall.  We got a good look at the mountain peaks from Mather Point on the scenic drive but snow still closes portions of the park above about 9000 feet.  We will explore more tomorrow.

Home while we explore is Lower Lehman Creek campground at about 7300 feet. We hear wild turkeys gobbling.

US 93 stretches out across the broad Lake Valley, straight and slightly rolling for as far as the eye can see.  We take a 90 mile path south to north across the huge Great Basin.  Cattle dot the fields and we are lucky enough to spot a few Pronghorn Antelope and a herd of elk.  Snow capped Wheeler Peak juts into the clear blue sky.  That is our destination today.

So, back at Cathedral Gorge we checked out the area called moon caves. Imagine 25 foot high clay/sand spires and fins with narrow passages snaking around the bases.  We step out of the toasty mid day sun and wind our way back into the damp, cool shadows.  The passage is narrow as we follow its wandering path.  By the time I reach the second turn and can no longer see where I entered my heart rate quickens.   I am fascinated by the intricate erosion patterns but sort of glad when the passage narrows and we have to turn back.  I have noticed over the years that I have a “thing” when comes to enclosed spaces.

This was a bit of exploration that I likely would not have done without Kent at my side.  I’m glad we did it.

Pioche, NV was a silver boom town.  Now, with precious minerals depleted it is just a bit more than a ghost town.

Tram over Boot Hill

We visited Boot Hill; it was a rough town back in the day.  We checked out the aerial bucket line that delivered ore to the mill.  We stopped in for a sweet at Ghost Town Art and Coffee.  That was about it for Pioche today.  Most other historical buildings are shuttered and in need of a little TLC.  It is a bit hard to imagine it in it’s hey day.

Last night the now familiar sound floated up from the wash next to camp. Tonight we are out trying to spot the fellow who has been making all the racket.  We scan the shoreline of the wash for movement.  There he is; a classic chocolate brown with white muzzle, tummy and feet…like he plopped down in white paint.  He is watching us. We are watching him as he grazes a bit, takes a few steps, stops to graze again.  All of a sudden he lets out his best burro call; whistle, wheeze and all.  We turn away satisfied with our discovery but are stopped in our tracks when from far down the wash another burro answers.  With sound to guide our search Kent spots them.  It must have been the evening call to come home because our buddy (we named him Barney the burro by the way) headed in their direction.

A fantastic ice cream parlor in Overton. They serve Blue Bunny, huckleberry and lemon sorbet for me.  A big brownie sundae with rocky road for Kent.  Yum.

We drove the car and doubled back along the most picturesque section of Northshore Road a bit more leisurely than with the entire rig.  It gave us a chance to get out and explore a bit with a walk among redstone monoliths and a nice overlook of the huge valleys and washes.  The sky threatened rain all day but nothing came of it until we were safely home.  Then it let loose.  It seems we are bringing more rain to the desert than I would have expected.  Tomorrow is supposed to be pretty again though so we hope to do a bit more hiking.