Nevada, California a Arizona in a week


I took this trip in the first week of September 1998. My brother and his girlfriend came to visit, so I drove to pick them up in San Francisco and then we went to national parks in California and Arizona. Here is the trip plan (map):

Sat. 29.8.: From SLC, on I15 below Provo and then on US 6 to Great Basin National Park in east-central Nevada
Sun. 30.8.: Climb on the highest mountain in the park - Wheeler Peak, then visit of the nearby Lehman Cave and drive thru Nevada on US 50, camping in BLM camp Sand Mountain before Fallon, Ne.
Mon. 31.8.: On I80 thru Reno, Sierra Nevada and Sacramento to San Francisco, picking up the rest of the crew and night in Half Moon Bay State Beach.
Tue. 1.9.: San Francisco visit.
Wed. 2.9.: Drive to Yosemite Natl. Parku and hike above the Yosemite Falls.
Thu. 3.9.: Drive to the Glacier Point in the Yosemite, then to Sequoia NP and a short hike in its western part.
Fri. 4.9.: Second part of Sequoia, drive to Los Angeles a overnight stay there.
Sat. 5.9.: Drive to Grand Canyon.
Sun. 6.9.: Hike down the Grand Canyonu, and quick drive on the top (in the bus).
Mon 7.9.: Wupatki a Sunset Crater Natl. Monument, Monument Valley and return to SLC.

Pictures

foto Bristlecone Pine in the nature hike of the same name in Great Basin NP.
foto Below the Wheeler Peak Glacier, the only glacier in Great Basin.
And foto yet another view below the peak, the highest in the park.
foto Stella Lake, one of several mountain lakes under the Wheeler Peak.
foto Tame deer spotted not far from the lake.
View at the foto Wheeler Peak at the beginning of the trail to the top (4 miles long, 3000 ft. elevation gain, peak height around 13000 ft).
foto Ridge leading to the summit.
foto View from the summit at the valley with the glacier and lakes.
foto The ride, om which goes the trail.
foto Shield formations in the Lehman Cave.
foto Another picture from the cave.
Camp below the foto Sand Mountain.
And foto my car stranded in the sand.
foto Interstate 80 near the Sierry Nevady summit
foto Dome Rock in the Yosemite.
foto Yosemite Falls, upper part.
foto On the top of the falls
foto Half Dome from the top of the falls, one must hike here - 2 miles and 2500 ft. up.
View from the foto Glacier Point, where can everyone easily drive with a car.
foto Southern part of the Yosemite Valley.
foto Young sequioas in Sequoia NP.
foto Larger sequoias.
foto Tunnel log, a tunnel cut in the fallen sequoia tree.
foto Moro Rock, an easy climb and great view.
foto Bright Angel Trail from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
foto Indian Garden, oasis in the middle of the trip down.
foto Switchbacks down towards the river.
foto River at the end of the Bright Angel Trail.
foto Trail aginst the river flow towards Phantom Ranch.
foto Bridge at the Phantom Ranch (phone and flush toilets).
foto Plateau Point, recommended day trip from the top, ca. 1 mile from the Indian Garden.
foto Wupatki, ruins of old indian pueblo.
foto Lava field at the Sunset Crater NM.
foto Monument Valley.
foto Mexican Hat, rock close to the city with the same name.


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Last updated: 03-Nov-98 / mc