Snow in June

My second day at Great Basin, I took advantage of hiking right from the campground. Sunny stayed parked, resting, while I hit the trail. A short walk to the back of the campground, then along the creek and meadow, brought me to South Fork Baker and Timber Creek trails. Planning for a loop, I headed up Timber Creek first.

A narrow dirt path brought me through the woods to alpine meadow. A rainbow of green greeted me, gray green sage brush, deep forest pine, vibrant grass, lime aspen leaves. A gentle breeze made the tiny leave dance, shimmying in the sunlight. Heaven.

Soon the path reentered the woods, and canopy providing shade for my walk. And soon the trail began to climb. And climb. And climb. A series of steep switchbacks caught me off guard and carried me higher and higher across the terrain. Every time I thought I was done, another rise around the bend. I guess I choose the difficult direction for my loop hike!

The need to pause to catch my breath allowed me to enjoy the view though. Each switchback offered a better view of the Nevada mountains in the distance, a beautiful contrast to the meadow before me. Tiny wildflowers dotted the sides of the trail too, providing more excuses to stop and rest.

Then the trail entered the forest for a long time. No views other than the trees towering above me. The dirt path now wide, but still climbing. I really can’t complain though, I had the whole place to myself.

Just when I was about to quit, the trail existed the forest and entered another magnificent alpine meadow. Now at nearly 9,000 feet high, the sun was warm but the temperatures still comfortable. Piñons and Junipers were scattered about, White fir, Douglas fir, and ponderosa pine became more plentiful. The dramatic changes in elevation allow Great Basin to be home to five distinct growth zones. How cool is that?

Alone in the meadow, I tried to capture the beauty of the mountains and meadow. Two sharp contrasts to each other. I staged my own photo shoot with my timer, which mostly went well. Minus the multiple times my phone fell off the pole where it was carefully balanced when a gentle breeze passed through. Haha. I captured as many pictures of my backpack, the ground, and the pole as I did myself. And it was fun.

As I continued, the trail connected to the South Fork Barker Trail and I began to loop back. The mountain views larger disappeared and much of the trail from here forward was forested, but I walked along the creek and the running water was relaxing. I spotted my first fellow hikers then, about 4 miles from my start. But they turned back and stayed ahead of me, so I continued to enjoy solitude on the final stretches.

Without views, I spent more time admiring flowers, water, and trees. Some patches of snow still lingering. June first, and snow! Contrasting the snow, sending signals that it was time to change seasons and melt, were blooming wildflowers. Lupine provided pops of purple, tiny bluebells shook in the wind, and dandelions past their prime provided good subjects. I always remind myself to look down as much as I look up. And sometime turn around too to see the view from a different angle. There is usually a surprise!

After the gradual descend brought me back to the parking lot (this side would have been way easier to climb!), I made my way back through the meadow to the campground. No where to drive, I was home for the night. What a great feeling.

After a lovely surprise phone call from a dear friend and colleague, I was filled to the brim with happiness. I sat at my campsite by the creek, enjoying the golden glow the sun cast on the water and plants. I ventured down to the edge to capture the brilliant red flowers on the far side, and snuck pictures of the cacti about to pop too. The idyllic seen was lovely.

Another fantastic day on the road. I’m counting my blessings and soaking it all in. This trip and time is such a gift.