Above the Clouds

My birthday weekend started with a road trip to Baker, Nevada. Who knew that four hours from home without cell phone or internet service one could get so much peace and quiet!  

Wheeler Peak, 3 miles from summit

Saturday mornings adventure started in the Great Basin National Park at the Summit Trailhead. We arrived early to hike Wheeler's Peak in order to avoid the risk of afternoon thunderstorms that often develop during monsoon season.  The cool morning temperature was a welcome relief considering the challenge ahead, we would be starting our hike at an elevation of 10,161 feet, and would gain 2,902 feet in elevation in just 4.3 miles!

The first mile meandered through magnificant pine meadows and past Stella Lake, but the picturesque setting was just a facade for the real work that lie ahead as we approached Bald Mountain (far right of photo, off screen).  Now above the treeline and exposed to the elements we began feeling the effects of a high altitude climb while watching a storm develop in our path.

The last 100 yards (the steepest) was impassable due to a large snow field on the trail so to overcome this obstacle we climbed straight up and over the massive boulders which stood between us and the summit. This photo taken at the summit shows a very tired hiker seeking shelter from what little protection the mountain had to offer. The skies were very dark and as we watched clouds come up over the summit then settle in the valley below, we knew we had little time before lightning would rein down us.  Remarkably enough, we were able to descent quickly and in the safety of the SUV witnessed the rainstorm this region is so famous for.