The Bristlecone The official newspaper of Great Basin National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Summer 2016 - Spring 2017 Do not throw this paper in trash! Recycle after use! In Your Park________________2 Park Rules and Safety________3 Centennial Schedule_________4 Explore 5 More____________5 Trail Guide_______________6-7 Local Services_______________8 Campsite Guide____________8 Protect Your Park___________9 What is the Great Basin?___10 Park Partners__________10-11 Map_____________________12 Kids nps.gov/kids Teachers nps.gov/teachers Volunteer nps.gov/getinvolved Discover Nature nature.nps.gov Mailing Address Great Basin National Park 5500 W. Hwy 488 Baker, NV 89311 Websites nps.gov/grba facebook.com/GreatBasinNPS Grey Cliffs Campground & Cave Tour Reservations recreation.gov (877) 444-6777 Locate Night Skies nature.nps.gov/night Park Information and Questions (775) 234-7331 Understand Climate nps.gov/climatechange After Hours Non-Emergency Help (702) 293-8998 Examine Biology nature.nps.gov/biology Notice Natural Sounds nature.nps.gov/sound Investigate Geology nature.nps.gov/geology Emergencies 911 The Great Basin Observatory Great Basin National Park is not only a wonderful place to recreate, it is also an extremely valuable laboratory to conduct scientific research. page 11), has raised funds to build the Great Basin Observatory, the first researchclass astronomical observatory in a national park. The park has some of the darkest night skies in the United States and has drawn thousands of people to the exciting experience of seeing a primeval night sky. It is also an ideal spot to conduct astronomical research. In celebration of the National Park Service Centennial (2016), the Great Basin National Park Foundation, the park’s nonprofit partner (see article on The Great Basin Observatory will feature a 0.7-meter (28 inch) telescope with special cameras to capture images of deep space objects. It will be a fully autonomous and robotic astronomical observatory, meaning scientists and students from all over the world will be able to use its instrumentation to conduct research without having to be located on-site. Potential research topics include galaxy detection, extra-solar planet discovery, asteroid and comet observation, and supernova studies. The observatory will be used by various groups of researchers from university scientists to elementary and high school students of the Great Basin, and beyond. The Great Basin Observatory is a cooperative effort of the Park, the Foundation, and four universities: University of Nevada, Reno; Western Nevada College (Carson City, NV); Southern Utah University (Cedar City, UT); and Concordia University (Irvine, CA). The observatory will be used to educate and inspire scientists and park visitors about the wonders of our National Parks and Universe. As the National Park Service celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2016, there is no better time to expand our definition of parks and ensure their preservation for future generations. Our national parks provide opportunities for recreation, to learn our history, to protect our most vulnerable species, and now to peer into the universe and contemplate our place in it. 2016 Great Basin Astronomy Festival September 29 - October 1 Join park rangers and experience out of this world family fun, excitement, and learn about day and nighttime astronomy. Astronomy Programs On a clear, moonless night in Great Basin National Park, thousands of stars, five of our solar system’s eight planets, star clusters, meteors, manmade satellites, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Milky Way can be seen with the naked eye. The area boasts some of the darkest night skies left in the United States. Low humidity and minimal light pollution, combined with high elevation, create a unique window into the universe. The Lost and Found Report “Why would you leave your rifle and not come back?” Numerous questions surround the small piece of American heritage found and recovered by Great Basin National Park archaeologists in November, 2014. A 132 year-old rifle, exposed to sun, wind, and snow, found leaning against 2 The Bristlecone a tree in the park, attracted worldwide attention through social media. The cracked wood stock, weathered to grey, and the brown rusted barrel blended into the colors of the old juniper tree in a remote rocky outcrop, keeping the rifle hidden for many years. “Model 1873” distinctively engraved on the mechanism identifies the rifle as the Winchester Model 1873 repeating rifle. The serial number in Winchester company records held at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West museum in Cody, Wyoming indicates the gun was shipped from the factory in 1882, but the detailed history of this rifle is unknown. The mystery fueled imagination and prompted numerous theories of when and why the gun was abandoned. Assisting with conservation, the Buffalo Bill Center identified a cartridge through x-ray imaging services provided by the local hospital. The cartridge removed from a compartment in the stock was made between 1887 and 1911. This provides clues but still no positive evidence of when the rifle was left. Winchester Model 1873 rifles hold a prominent place in Western history and lore. The rifles are referred to as “the gun that won the West”. Selling for about $50 when they first came out, the rifles reduced in price to $25 in 1882 and were accessible and popular as “everyman’s” rifle. This rifle is a 44-40 caliber with octagon barrel, lever action, repeating rifle that could hold up to 14 cartridges. Its condition when it was found shows the rifle was well used and had been repaired and continued to be used before it was abandoned. The Great Basin Winchester continues to provide its own bit of lore. Who left the rifle? When and why was it leaned against the tree? And, why was it never retrieved? Research continues and details about the rifle’s past are a mystery. The story from here is yours to share. Park Rules, Regulations, and Safety Not knowing the rules is not an excuse to break them! Speed Limits Follow all speed limits throughout the park. Trails If trails are provided, stay on them. Taking shortcuts creates a complex web of social trails and causes erosion. When hiking cross country, try to disperse impact by not following others’ footsteps. Do not create rock cairns. Leave the environment as you found it. Pets Pets are not allowed on most trails in the park. Clearly marked service dogs on a leash are allowed on trails. Pets on a leash are allowed on roads, campgrounds, and parking lots. Use caution when walking your pet and watch for vehicles. Fishing Fishing is allowed in the park; follow all Nevada State laws when fishing in the park. Use of live bait is prohibited. Fish entrails should be buried. Collecting No collecting of anything in the park. This includes but is not limited to rocks, sticks, wood, plants, soil, leaves, cones, artifacts, wildlife, cave formations, or park signs. Backcountry Camping Backcountry camping is allowed, except within ¼ mile of any developed site (i.e. road, buildings, campground, etc.), within the Wheeler Peak or Lexington Arch areas, near archeological sites, or in bristlecone pine groves. Campsites must be a minimum of 100 feet from trails and water. Camp on mineral soil if possible and avoid camping in the treeless alpine zone. Be sure to practice leave no trace while camping and hiking. Backcountry Permits Backcountry permits are optional but highly recommended. In all cases, you should tell a friend or family member where you will be going and when you plan to return. Campfires Fires may be built in the backcountry, but not above 10,000 feet elevation. At lower elevation, collect only dead wood already on the ground. Do not collect bristlecone pine wood, even when dead or down. (The growth rings in the wood are a historical record of climatic change valuable to scientists.) It is illegal to leave any fire unattended. The park strongly recommends using stoves for cooking in the backcountry. Firearms Firearms are allowed in the park. A person must follow all federal and Nevada state laws while carrying a firearm. Firearms are not allowed in federal buildings. Lehman Caves is considered a federal building. Hunting is not allowed in the park. Bicycles Bicycles are not allowed on trails or the backcountry. Use extreme caution when on the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. Trail Running Trail running is allowed on all trails in the park. Some trails are rugged and in remote areas: be safe and stay hydrated! Be courteous to hikers while running. Mountain Lions Be aware: the risk of a mountain lion attack increases during dusk and dawn. Traveling in groups of 2 or more decreases your risk of a mountain lion attack. Never run away from a lion. Stand your ground and fight if necessary until they retreat. Horseback Riding & Pack Animals Llamas, horses, and mules are allowed in the backcountry as pack animals. Any feed brought into the park for the animals must be certified weedfree and all animals must be on a weedfree diet for three days prior to arrival in the park. Horses and pack animals are allowed on all trails except: Wheeler Peak Day Use Area trails, Osceola Ditch trail, Lexington Arch trail, Baker to Johnson Lake Cutoff trail, and interpretive trails. A Special Use Permit is needed for over 6 horses or pack animals per group for day or overnight use. Check with the visitor center for any updated info. Alcohol Drinking alcohol in the park is allowed. Drink responsibly and absolutely NO drinking and driving. All Terrain Vehicles All terrain vehicles are not allowed in the park. Street legal vehicles must stay on designated park roads. Mines and Caves Do not enter an abandoned mine or cave in the park unless you have a permit. This is for your safety and the protection of park resources. Stay out! Stay alive! Pinyon Pine Nuts During Pinyon Pine nut season, the nuts may be gathered only for personal non-commercial use. Limit 25 lbs or three 2 ft by 3 ft gunnysacks of cones per household per year. Do not break, cut, pull, shake, climb, or injure the pines or other plants. Only free standing ladders may be used. Altitude Sickness Altitude sickness is a condition brought on by high elevations often in conjunction with strenuous activity. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, nausea, incoherent speech, and headache. The cure is to descend immediately. Altitude sickness can be life threatening. To avoid altitude sickness, ascend slowly, eat lightly and frequently, and drink plenty of water. Hypothermia Hypothermia is a serious condition in which a person’s body temperature is lowered. It can occur at temperatures well above freezing. Avoid hypothermia by wearing appropriate, layered clothing. Do not wear cotton clothing as it is very cold when wet. Carry extra clothes, drink plenty of fluids, eat high energy foods, and stay dry. Signs of hypothermia include slurred speech and uncontrollable shivering. If someone shows signs of hypothermia, warm the individual slowly, replace wet clothes with dry ones, and give the person warm liquids without caffeine. Drinking Water Drinking water is essential; it is easy to become dehydrated when hiking in the dry desert air. Carry plenty of water and drink it! All surface water should be chemically treated, boiled, or passed through a filter capable of eliminating harmful microbes and parasites such as giardia. Backcountry water resources are highly variable; carry all the water you will need. Driving Conditions Driving conditions in the park can be hazardous. Use lower gears on long downhill sections to prevent overheated brakes. Use of seat belts is required in both Nevada and the park. Please stop only at pullouts. Watch for wildlife and pedestrians. Congestion in the visitor center parking areas can lead to accidents. Please use caution. Cell Phones Cell phones do not always work in the park. Do not rely on them! Distracted Driving There are three main types of distractions: Visual- taking your eyes off the road, Manual- taking your hands off the wheel, and Cognitive- taking your mind off driving. While driving, your focus needs to be on driving safely. Lightning If you can hear thunder, you are within striking range. Seek appropriate shelter immediately. High elevations, open areas, and tall trees increase the risk of lightning strikes. Always be courteous and respectful to law enforcement. They just want to protect you and the park. Not every activity can be addressed in this paper so check with a ranger if you have questions about anything not covered. It’s your responsibility to know before you act. The Bristlecone 3 4 The Bristlecone EVENT LOCATION DESCRIPTION National Park Week Centennial BioBlitz Celebrating Great People and Great Places Great Basin, Great Inspiration Great Basin National Park, Artist workshops and keynote speakers. Ely, NV, and Delta, UT. For All of Time and Space Centennial Video on Fremont Experience April 16 - 23, 2016 May 20-22, 2016 July 16-23, 2016 August 12-13, 2016 August 25, 2016 August 25, 2016 Short film shown on the Fremont Experience for NPS Centennial featuring Great Basin and several other parks. Great Basin National Park Celebrate your 30th birthday, or any birthday at Great Basin and Online National Park. Share your images on your social media sites using the hashtag #Turning30withGRBA or #GreatBasin all year long. Join our virtual party on October 27th on Facebook and Twitter. Visit us that day and there will be cake! Join our photo contest for the cover of the park newspaper. October 27, 2016 2016 is a big year as we will celebrate both the National Park Service Centennial and the 30th Anniversary of the Park. Above you will find a list of planned events. If you are interested in our events contact Centennial Coordinator Nichole Andler at (775) 234-7521 or nichole_andler@nps.gov 30th Anniversary Celebration Great Basin National Park Bring regional youth to Great Basin and participate in hands on activities about park wildlife and cultural resources. A service project will also be completed. September 24, 2016 Centennial Public Lands Day September 29, 30 & Centennial Astronomy Festival Great Basin National Park Three days and nights of sky observations, with activities for October 1, 2016 children, families and adults, night sky viewing parties, guest speakers and a talent show. Fremont Experience, Las Vegas, NV Great Basin National Park Our signature event. Join us for a time capsule burial and “First Light” for the Great Basin Observatory. Special guest speakers and astronomy programs will be held. Great Basin National Park Great Basin and the National Speleological Society (NSS) and Ely, NV host special interpretive programs and caving events. Great Basin National Park Citizen Scientists will spend a weekend collecting, identifying, and recording birds in the park. Great Basin National Park #FindYourPark Challenge rangers to Park Service trivia. Look for the announcement of the Centennial Artist in Residence. Use the #FindYourPark selfie frame in the cave Centennial Junior Ranger Day Great Basin National Park Fun family activities for youth. April 16, 2016 Through December The Winchester Heard ‘Round Great Basin National Park A temporary display of the Winchester Model 1873 found in 2016 the World the park. DATE Find Your PARK at Great Basin The Centennial Schedule The Bristlecone 5 MORE Cedar City, Utah 581 North Main St. (435) 586-5124 visitcedarcity.com WWW.PARKS100.COM Baker, Nevada Highway 487 (775) 234-7331 nps.gov/grba Plan Your Visit Locally & Online Find Parks100 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as at www.parks100.com. Venture Out & Explore Five More™ Don’t miss our hidden gems! Within a short drive of Great Basin National Park(and each of our beloved national parks) are five more incredible outdoor places to explore. Make them part of your journey... GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK • FRONTIER HOMESTEAD SP • (2.75 hours) CATHEDRAL GORGE SP • (2 hours) HORSE HMA • (1 hour) Celebrate the National Park Service Centennial With the combined effort of over 25 MOUNT MORIAH parks and organizations in the Grand WILDERNESS AREA • Circle area of Arizona, Nevada and (1 hour) Utah; PARKS100 is celebrating the NPS Centennial in a new way. We have created a community, locally WARD CHARCOAL and online, to help you explore more OVENS SP • of our area and find all types of parks, (1 hour) as well as local Centennial events, suggested itineraries, visitor centers, and our hidden gems. SULPHUR WILD EXPLORE 21 BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 50 130 257 6 50 18 17 GRAND CANYON PARASHANT NM St. George SNOW CANYON SP 18 15 KOLOB CANYONS 389 Cedar City RED CLIFFS Dixie NF 56 SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY 70 20 15 Kanab 89 50 62 PIPE SPRING NM Fish Lake NF Dixie NF 24 67 HOPI RESERVATION 160 98 NAVAJO NATION 89 HORSESHOE BEND 89 24 RAINBOW BRIDGE NM GLEN CANYON NRA GRAND CANYON NORTH RIM Kaibab NF 89A VERMILION CLIFFS NM Page 95 276 PETRIFIED FOREST SP BRYCE GRAND STAIRCASE CANYON ESCALANTE NM NP 89 CAPITOL REEF NP 24 GOBLIN VALLEY SP 10 ANASAZI SP 12 La Sal NF KODACHROME BASIN SP 12 RED CANYON 22 62 24 FREMONT INDIAN SP Dixie NF 89 Fish Lake NF 50 CORAL PINK SAND DUNES SP 14 ZION NP 143 Dixie NF CEDAR BREAKS NM PAROWAN GAP 6 FRONTIER HOMESTEAD SP CATHEDRAL GORGE SP GREAT BASIN NP MOUNT MORIAH WILDERNESS 6 28 Trail Guide Explore Your Park Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive and Lehman Caves VC - Paved Road Trails Trailhead Elevation Round-trip Gain Starting Elevation Description 2,900 feet (884 m) 10,160 feet (3,097m) Strenuous: Start very early in the day because of the risk of afternoon thunderstorms. Along most of the route, the trail follows the ridge up to the Wheeler Peak summit. (4.4 km) 600 feet (183 m) 9,800 feet (2,987 m) Moderate: Passes two beautiful sub-alpine lakes and has good views of Wheeler Peak. Bristlecone Trail 2.8 miles (4.5 km) 600 feet (183 m) 9,800 feet (2,987 m) Moderate: Leads to an ancient bristlecone pine grove with trees up to 5,000 years old. Glacier Trail 4.6 miles (7.4 km) 1,100 feet (335 m) 9,800 feet (2,987 m) Moderate: Continues beyond the bristlecone pine grove to a rock glacier, nestled beneath Wheeler Peak. Island Forest Nature Trail Osceola Ditch Trail 0.4 miles (0.6 km) 50 feet (15 m) 9,800 feet (2,987 m) Easy: Wheelchair accessible trail with benches to sit on. 9.2 miles (14.8 km) 200 feet (61 m) 8,400 feet (2560 m) Easy: Walk through ponderosa pine, white fir, and Douglas fir trees. Trail follows the remnants of an 18-mile long channel. Lehman Creek Trail Mountain View Nature Trail 6.8 miles (11 km) 2,050 feet (625 m) 7,750 feet (2,362 m) Moderate: Passes through diverse habitats, along side a creek for parts of the trail. 0.3 miles (0.5 km) 80 feet (24 m) 6,825 feet (2,080 m) Easy: This is a leisurely walk in the pinyon-juniper forest. The trail starts at the Rhodes Cabin next to the visitor center. Wheeler Peak Trail 8.2 miles (13 km) Alpine Lakes Loop 2.7 miles Baker Creek - Gravel Road Trail Trailhead Elevation Round-trip Gain Starting Elevation Description Pole Canyon Trail 4 miles (6.4 km) 600 feet (182 m) 7,000 feet (2,134m) Moderate: Passes through different forest communities, along the creekbed, and into several small meadows. Baker Lake Trail 12 miles (19.3 km) 2,620 feet (799 m) 8,000 feet (2,438 m) Strenuous: Offers nice views of the surrounding peaks. Hike through ponderosa pines and a beautiful meadow. Baker Creek Loop Trail Timber Creek Loop Trail 3.1 miles (5 km) 870 feet (265 m) 8,000 feet (2,438 m) Moderate: A forested walk with a beautiful small meadow. Some steep sections. 5.1 miles (8.2 km) 1,680 feet (512 m) 8,000 feet (2,438 m) Strenuous: A steep climb up the Timber Creek Trail with good views of Snake Valley along the way. Enjoy lunch in a meadow lined by aspen groves, beneath imposing Pyramid Peak. Return via the lively, forested stream of South Fork Baker Creek. Johnson Lake Via Timber Creek Trail 11.2 miles (18 km) 2,740 feet (835 m) 8,000 feet (2,438 m) Strenuous: A steep climb offering expansive views of the Snake Valley and Pyramid Peak, followed by a forested stroll past the historic structures of the Johnson Lake Mining District. Then it’s up an old road bed to treeline and breathtaking Johnson Lake. Baker Johnson Lakes Loop Route 13.1 miles (21.1 km) 3,290 feet (1,003 m) 8,000 feet (2,438 m) Strenuous: This is a long day hike or a classic one or twonight back packing trip. Along the way you’ll cross a high alpine pass, stroll the shores of two sub-alpine lakes, pass through a historic mining operation and mingle with the big peaks of the Snake Range. Route finding required. Strawberry Creek - Gravel Road Trail Trailhead Elevation Round-trip Gain Starting Elevation Description Sage Steppe Loop Trail 1 mile (1.6 km) 295 feet (90 m) 7,920 feet (2,414 m) Easy: This short loop winds through riparian and mountain sage steppe habitat and also along sections of the creek. Loops back to the the traihead. Blue Canyon Trail 1.5 miles (2.4 km) 200 feet (61 m) 8,000 feet (2438 m) Easy: Parallels old road meandering through meadows and wooded areas slowly gaining elevation. Under Construction. Strawberry Creek Route 4 miles (6.4 km) 1,000 feet (305 m) 8,200 feet (2499 m) Moderate: Parallels Strawberry Creek and climbs gradually through shady pine and aspen forest, topping out on the Windy Peak Ridge saddle. Osceola Ditch Trail 9.2 miles (14.8 km) 200 feet (61 m) 8,200 feet (2499 m) Easy: Walk through Douglas fir, white fir, and ponderosa pine trees. Trail follows the remnants of an 18-mile long channel. 6 The Bristlecone Trail Guide Experience Your Park Lexington Creek - 4 Wheel Drive High Clearance Road Trail 11597ft 3535m Lincoln Peak South Fork Big Wash Route Lexington Arch Route Trailhead Elevation Round-trip Gain Starting Elevation Description 11.2 miles (18 km) 1,440 feet (439 m) 6,920 feet (2,109 m) Moderate: Impressive gorge with sheer rock cliffs unique in this mountain range. 5.4 miles (8.7 km) 820 feet (250 m) 7,440 feet (2,268 m) Moderate: Leads to a six-story limestone arch. The trail has steep sections. Inquire about road conditions. Starting Elevation Description Bristlecone pine grove Snake Creek - Gravel Road Moderate: This short steeper route offers nice views of the Snake Creek drainage before reaching the historic Johnson Mill and Johnson Lake. Dead Lake Trail 3.8 miles (6.1 km) 1,561 feet (476 m) 8,150 feet (2,484 m) Strenuous: Follow old roadbed on the north slope of canyon. Middle sections are steep. Under Construction. Shoshone Trail 6.4 miles (10.3 km) 1,927 feet (588 m) 8,150 feet (2,484 m) Strenuous: Trail winds up south slope of canyon then ascends steeply to the ridge. No maintained trail to Upper North Fork Big Wash Canyon; route finding required. Shoshone ADA Trail 0.1 miles (0.16 km) 8,150 feet (2,484 m) Easy: Take in stunning views of the upper canyon before making your way to a deck overlooking Snake Creek. Bring a fishing rod to cast a line in one of the stream pools. Snake Divide Trail 12.8 miles (20.6 km) 2,973 feet (906 m) 8,150 feet (2,484 m) Strenuous: Follow the Shoshone trail along the canyon, then ascends steeply to the ridge. Snake Divide trail follows ridge to the Bristlecone Pine Natural Area. Under Construction. 10.2 miles (16.4 km) 3,880 feet (1,183 m) 8,150 feet (2,484 m) Strenuous: Experience a remote and rugged area of the park with more of a desert feel. Your walk will take you down a fading road, through canyon walls begging for exploration. Route finding required. 1.5 miles (2.4 km) 370 feet (113 m) 8,150 feet (2,484 m) Easy: Follows an old road bed through mixed conifer forest to a beautiful vista. Take the loop trail back. 3.2 miles (5.2 km) 657 feet (200 m) 8,106 feet (2,471 m) Moderate: Winds through forests and meadows before ascending. Views of Snake Creek Canyon can be seen from the top. Trail loops back to trailhead. Y Snake Creek Area North Ba ke r Cr ee S Wheeler Peak 894 Jeff Davis Peak Under Construction Moraine Teresa Lake Stella Lake No Camping Bristlecone pine grove Rock glacier Upp Area Under Construction Bald Mountain O s c e o l a D it c h St The Bristlecone 7 10144ft 3092m wb ra e rry C r ee k Windy Peak Pioche k PR A North Wheeler Peak Area E LL Snake Overlook Loop Trail Serviceberry Trail IN North Fork Big Wash Trail G Negligible Baker Lake Pyramid Peak 8,150 feet (2,484 m) Johnson Lake 2,610 feet (796 m) To Minerva Dead Lake (12.6 km) To Ely and Pioche Bristlecone pine grove Johnson Lake Trail 7.8 miles V Trailhead Elevation Round-trip Gain Mount Washington Trail N AT I O N A L FOREST Local Services Snake Valley and Spring Valley Name Lodging Baker RV & Fuel (In Baker, NV) Fuel For the most up to date info, visit www.greatbasinpark.com Restaurant/ Food Groceries Convenience Store Bar Breakfast Lunch Dinner Yes Yes Yes Firewood RV Camping RV Hook Ups Tent Camping Public Showers Public Laundry Art For Sale Gift Shop Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Border Inn (775) 234-7300 Yes Yes Bureau of Land Management www.blm.gov/nv www.blm.gov/ut Primitive D Bar X Lighting (800) 467-6599 www.dbarxlighting.com D Bar X Meats (775) 234-7107 Handcrafted Rustic Lighting Meat Processor www.dbarx.com Ferg’s Firewood (In Baker, NV) Yes Gateway Accomodations www.gatewayaccomodations.com Yes The Getaway Cabin (775) 234-7007 Yes Hidden Canyon Bed & Breakfast (775) 234-7172 www.hiddencanyonretreat.com Yes Reservation Only Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest (775) 289-3031 www.fs.usda.gov/htnf Primitive Lehman Caves Gift & Cafe (775) 234-7221 Breakfast Lunch Magic Bean Coffee Cart (In Baker, NV) Yes Yes Yes Coffee Major’s Station RV Park (775) 591-0347 Yes Rock Sage Room (775) 234-7127 www.airbnb.com Yes Yes Yes Yes Sacramento Pass Campground (BLM) (775) 289-1800 www.blm.gov/nv Salt and Sucre (719) 237-5726 Yes Yes Yes Sack Lunches Baked Goods www.saltandsucre.com Sliver Jack Inn & Lectrolux Cafe (775) 299-5428 www.silverjackinn.com Yes Breakfast Dinner Yes Lunch Dinner Yes T&Ds Store & Restaurant (775) 234-7264 www.greatbasinxenman.com Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Western National Parks Association Bookstore (775) 234-7331 www.wnpa.org Yes Whispering Elms Campground (775) 234-9900 www.camptheelms.wix.com/the-elms Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Pay at site - First come first served Camping half price for Golden Age or Access Pass card holders Park Campsite Guide Elevation Total Sites Accessible ADA Sites Pull-through Sites Lower Lehman Creek 7,300 ft 11 1 6 Upper Lehman Creek 7,752 ft XX XX XX Baker Creek 7,530 ft 34 2 2 Wheeler Peak 9,886 ft 37 1 $12 Grey Cliffs 7,140 ft 16 5 2 Adv. Reservations No Water Strawberry 7,251 ft 11 2 1 Free No Water Name Group Sites Developed Backcountry Sites Cost per Night Comments $12 No Water due to repairs XX XX Closed in 2016 for repairs 2 $12 Monkey Rock Snake Creek 6,674 ft 1 1 Free No Water Pinnacle Snake Creek 6,748 ft 1 1 Free No Water RV Site Snake Creek 6,776 ft 1 Free No Water Squirrel Springs Snake Creek 7,219 ft 3 Free No Water Eagle Peak Snake Creek 7,640 ft 3 Free No Water Shoshone Snake Creek 8,240 ft 2 2 Free No Water Johnson Lake Trail Site Snake Creek 8,244 ft 1 1 Free No Water N/A N/A Free Permit Hightly Recomended Backcountry (Primitive Camping) 8 The Bristlecone 1 Examining Climate Change in Your Park Great Basin National Park about 15,000 years ago would have looked much different. Lake Bonneville, predecessor to the Great Salt Lake, filled much of Snake Valley. A forest of bristlecone and limber pines grew nearly to the lake’s edge. You would have seen dire wolves, giant short-faced bears, ground sloths, and ancient horses and camels. Incredible Teratorns, with wingspans of eighteen feet and weighing 150 pounds, would have soared overhead. Glaciers hundreds of feet thick flowed from the higher peaks, carving rock and pushing moraines of cobble that are still evident today. middens deposited by woodrats over thousands of years, and by dating animal bones in caves. Why isn’t the park like that now? Simply put, the climate has changed and it continues to change. Park staff and many researchers are studying these past and present changes, their implications on the park plants and animals, and what we have to look forward to. While the climate is always changing, the current rate of climate change happening today is unprecedented. The CO2 in the atmosphere has reached a record high relative to more than the past half-million years, and has done so at an exceptionally fast rate. Current global temperatures are warmer than they have ever been during at least the past five centuries. It is happening so fast that some plants and animals don’t have time to adapt or evolve to the new conditions. You can spot evidence of past climate change during your visit. High on Mount Washington, above the current treeline, you might see pieces of wood. These are remnants of bristlecone pines that grew higher up the mountain when temperatures were even warmer than what we encounter today. Climate studies have been done using sediment cores from subalpine lakes, testing pollen in The park participates in the GLORIA program. During the 2013 resurvey of plots, park staff and volunteers found a number of species that weren’t present five years earlier. Projected changes over the next several decades include changes in mean annual precipitation and mean annual streamflow, shifts towards earlier snowmelt by one to several weeks, and reductions in streamflow volume. These changes sound small but cumulatively can have a huge effect on the plants and animals. The increase in greenhouse gasses is largely caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Now that we know what is causing these abnormally high conditions, there are ways you can help reduce greenhouse gasses. Try to minimize the amount of electricity you use by turning off unnecessary lights and electronics. Use less fuel by walking, riding your bike, using public transportation, and carpooling more. The climate is always changing, but humans now play a bigger role. Let’s use our power wisely. The White-Nose Syndrome Epidemic White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a bat-killing fungus that looks like powdered sugar around the muzzle and ears of wintering bats. Since the emergence of this disease in 2006, WNS has decimated bat colonies across a wide swath of the Eastern and Midwestern US and Canada, reducing some populations by over 90%. Some individual colonies have perished entirely. WNS crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Europe, possibly hitching a ride on the clothes and shoes of tourists. While European bats seem to have developed an evolutionary resistance to the fungus, North American species have no such advantage. It kills indirectly, interrupting winter hibernation which forces the bats to burn excess calories at a time of year when there is no way to replace them. Eventually, they starve to death. Bats are an important part of nearly every ecosystem on earth. Found in all regions except the harshest polar climates, bats make up about 20% of the world’s mammal population. Fruit-eating bats spread seeds and are largely responsible for reforestation of burned areas. Nectar-eating bats pollinate many plants, including banana trees. Cave-roosting bats are considered a keystone species because they provide guano, a building b