Thunder Mountain
Estes Park, Colorado
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Joined: 02/09/2005
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Yeeeeehaaaaa, I'm retiring March 26! We've spent 3-4 weeks a year in southern Utah for the last 6 years. So, we love canyons, slots and the desert. Lived in Colorado for 30 years and climbed several 14K peaks. So, like altitude as well.
Never been to Great Basin NP. Would like real life experiences. Best time of year for hiking, best hikes and best campgrounds with hookups for the MH. I've already been to the NP website and rvparkreviews.com. Suggestions on guide books wanted as well.
2007 HR Endeavor 40'PDQ
HMS Indebtedness + 2001 Wrangler
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elh0146
Sioux Falls, SD
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Joined: 01/13/2002
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There's supposed to be an RV park in Baker that's associated with a motel, but I know nothing about it or even if it's still open. If it's not open any longer, then the closest RV park to Great Basin would be in Ely. Why not stay in one of the park's campgrounds?
If you're both over 62, be sure you each get a Senior Pass if you don't already have one (the old Golden Age Passport). That will allow you free entrance to the park, 1/2 price camping, plus 1/2 price on the cave tours (only the pass holder gets the 1/2 price on cave tours, which is why I said that both of you should have one).
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Wolfman Jacques
Mendocino/CA/USA
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Joined: 12/12/2003
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Actually the last time I was at Great Basin (about 2 years ago) they were not charging an entrance fee to anyone. The ranger said that they had so few visitors that it wasn't worth it. Fantastic place, fantastic walks up thru the Bristlecone Pines. Enjoy!
Jacques, Denise, and Wolf
2004 GMC Sierra Denali (AWD/6L/4:10/Quadrasteer)
2005 Crossroads Cruiser 27RL
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Litch
Truckee, CA
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Joined: 07/02/2002
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elh0146 wrote:There's supposed to be an RV park in Baker that's associated with a motel, but I know nothing about it or even if it's still open. If it's not open any longer, then the closest RV park to Great Basin would be in Ely. Why not stay in one of the park's campgrounds?
If you're both over 62, be sure you each get a Senior Pass if you don't already have one (the old Golden Age Passport). That will allow you free entrance to the park, 1/2 price camping, plus 1/2 price on the cave tours (only the pass holder gets the 1/2 price on cave tours, which is why I said that both of you should have one).
Major's Place has hook-ups and they are half way between Great Basin NP and Ely. The place in Baker was probably not someplace I would choose, too barren and if the wind kicks up like it usually does, it would not be comfortable.
I would dry camp in the park if I was going, other places are too far and not nearly as nice as the campgrounds there.
2006 Chevy HD LBZ Duramax/Allison
2006 Holiday Rambler Savoy 30sks
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4runnerguy
Glenwood Springs, CO
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Joined: 03/10/2003
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For hiking the uppper trails around Wheeler Peak, you might encounter snow well into May. Even in the middle of the summer, the trails up high stay relatively cool just due to the elevation. But the camping at low elevations can be very hot by June.
The Bristlecone Pine Grove Trail and continuing along the Glacier trail is well worth the time and effort and is our favorite in the park. In the Bristlecone forest, they have markers by some of the trees telling how old they are and what was happening in human history when these trees started to grow. The trail beyond gets more rugged as you get further into the amphitheater below Wheeler Peak. If you've spend much time in the Great Basin, you'll be amazed to find such rugged alpine environments here.
The Alpine Lakes trail is also interesting, but you've been spoiled by the hikes around Bear Lake by now! Wheeler Peak trail isn't too tough either, esp. when you're used to the altitude you live at now.
BTW, if you can spare a couple of extra days and go w/o hookups for that long, check out Cave Lake SP SE of Ely. They do have flush toilets and clean, private showers with a dump station nearby. A nice place from which to explore other interesting areas in and around Ely.
As Litch noted, I would dry camp in the park at Lower Lehman if at all possible. It does cool off at night so sleeping is quite nice.
Ken & Allison
2 Camping Cats (1 diabetic)
1996 4Runner, TRD Supercharger, Edelbrock headers
2007 Fleetwood Arcadia, Honda EU2000i
4 mountain bikes, 1 canoe, 4 tents, 8 sleeping bags, 2 backpacks
(You get the idea!)
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Patsyjk
Lewisville, TX
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Joined: 06/12/2005
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We stayed at the RV Park at the UT border in Baker several years ago. It wasn't first class, but it provided what we needed. We ate at the restaurant, and it wasn't bad. The side of the building that is in NV had slot machines. Kinda funny that the building was right on the border. We were in a 38' MH at the time, and the campgrounds in the park wouldn't accomodate us. As mentioned earlier, the park has very few visitors, and neither does the RV Park.
Patsy
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Thunder Mountain
Estes Park, Colorado
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Joined: 02/09/2005
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Thanks 4runnerguy for the on topic information. May won't work for us. Sounds like a fall trip for us. I'm not sure if any of the NP campgrounds can accommodate my 40' MH. Guess I should call them. The Border Inn RV Park at Baker seems to get good enough reviews to suit us. Anybody have any comments on it?
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elh0146
Sioux Falls, SD
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Joined: 01/13/2002
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Wolfman Jacques wrote:Actually the last time I was at Great Basin (about 2 years ago) they were not charging an entrance fee to anyone.
That could be...it's been a number of years since we've been there, and I couldn't remember whether or not they charged an entrance fee. However, there IS a charge for both the campgrounds and the cave tours.
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elh0146
Sioux Falls, SD
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Joined: 01/13/2002
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Thunder Mountain wrote:The Border Inn RV Park at Baker seems to get good enough reviews to suit us. Anybody have any comments on it?
We've never stayed there, preferring the campground in the NP itself, but if you have to have hookups, it's the closest place to the park without driving many miles. There are some boondocking places around, but it sounds like you're more interested in hookups...?
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Litch
Truckee, CA
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Joined: 07/02/2002
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Thunder Mountain wrote:Thanks 4runnerguy for the on topic information. May won't work for us. Sounds like a fall trip for us. I'm not sure if any of the NP campgrounds can accommodate my 40' MH. Guess I should call them. The Border Inn RV Park at Baker seems to get good enough reviews to suit us. Anybody have any comments on it?
t
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