Ely/Baker region of Nevada - any advice?

[markadams99]

After the full house of Christmas I'm skipping off in a few days to land in St George, Utah. I've made a few trips to Escalante and all around and would happily spend many more wandering around. For example I want to do the whole Little Wildhorse/Bell Canyon Loop, I want to see Lower Calf Creek Falls from above ( http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=84163.msg681151#msg681151 ), I want to go further north along the Waterpocket Fold rim above Upper Muley Twist Canyon...

But St George is convenient for Nevada and I wonder if a winter trip to Great Basin NP and beyond is worthwhile. Any advice? I'll have a 4wd and am happy to hike. The weather forecast is good.

Thanks

Mark

[Vladimir Steblina]

I am not sure I would leave Utah.

Great Basin National Park is an economic development scheme proposed for over 50 years by the Ely Chamber of Commerce.  For years they kept at the National Park proposal and finally, unfortunately got the federal land transferred from the Forest Service to the Park Service.  All you got was a lot of increased regulations.  There are more scenic spots on National Forest land in Nevada than Great Basin National Park.

We did drive through the area for several years heading home with our 5th wheel during the spring migration.  Here are links to pictures along the route.

http://usbackroads.blogspot.com/2011/03/las-vegas-to-ely-highway-93-nevada.html

http://usbackroads.blogspot.com/2013/06/ash-springs-alamo-nevada.html

http://usbackroads.blogspot.com/2013/03/alamo-nevada.html

http://usbackroads.blogspot.com/2011/03/ely-to-jackpot-highway-93-nevada.html

I did go through the east half of Zion National Park after a snowfall.  I wish now I had stopped and taken a few pictures.  Zion in the snow is a different world.

I would stay in Utah, until later in the spring.

[langier]

Cathedral Gorge comes to mind near Caliente. Part of the appeal f Great Basin are the Bristlecone Pines, but the road to the top of the Snake Range is probably closed for winter. Same with the Success Loop.

If you like old stuff and buildings, there's Cherry Creek, McGill and of course the shops of the Ghost Train.

A couple of hours SW of St. George is Valley of Fire and in between is Gold Butte south of Mesquite though there may be some walking to do to find the goodies scatter there.

In any case, I've always have found something to photograph around Ely in every season, though not always landscapes.