The Bristlecone Pine Trail is a 2.8 mile round trip hike at Great Basin National Park that starts at the end of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. The trail has a 600 foot elevation gain. Bristlecone pines are among the longest-living species on earth, with some over 5,000 years old.
The Alpine Lakes Loop Trail at Great Basin National Park is a 2.7 mile trail that passes two glacial lakes. It starts and finishes at the end of Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. The elevation gain is 600 feet.
With a 4,000 foot elevation gain over just 12 miles, the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive at Great Basin National Park will have you wonder if you’ve been suddenly transported from Nevada to Colorado. The stark contrast between the desert at the beginning of the road and the sub-alpine forest at the end is simply amazing.
Just outside the Lehman Caves Visitor Center at Great Basin National Park is the Mountain View Nature Trail, a short and easy informative trail that takes visitors through a pinyon-juniper forest.
We couldn’t visit Salt Lake City without seeing the Great Salt Lake. We decided to make a day trip out to Antelope Island State Park. The park has miles of hiking, camping, and beaches on the lake as well as a historic ranch. There are also plenty of opportunities for birdwatching and spotting wildlife.
On May 10, 1869, in the middle of the desert at Promontory Summit in Utah Territory, Leland Stanford drove the last spike to complete the First Transcontinental Railroad. Although the tracks have been removed and the trains no longer pass by Promontory Summit, the location where the Golden Spike was driven is celebrated by the National Park Service for its significance in American history.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument is a real treat to visit. Not only are the cave formations spectacular to look at, the tough walk up is a great workout.
Near the city of Provo is Bridal Veil Falls. It’s a 607 foot waterfall just off US 189 at the south end of Provo Canyon. There’s a parking lot right off the highway and a small park with picnic tables.
If you’re expecting to walk among fossils of fish, plants, and animals still stuck in rocks, you’ll be disappointed by Fossil Butte National Monument. If you’re keen on learning about “America’s Aquarium” and how fossils are formed and preserved, it’s a worthwhile stop for a few hours.
Jenny Lake is one of the most scenic and popular areas of Grant Teton National Park. It was also its first developed area. After setting up camp at Colter Bay, we packed lunches, drove to Jenny Lake, and set off on a late afternoon hike.