Going UP the Mountains

After getting our questions answered at the Visitor Center, we went back to the Jeep and headed out for the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. You should understand one thing: I don't like heights, particularly HIGH heights. This was a very narrow road without guard rails, looking down and out on incredible scenery that I wanted to see, but that I didn't want to look at. Fortunately, there were occasional scenic pull-offs where I could get my feet on the ground, which made looking out more tolerable.

A short way up the drive, we stopped by the Osceola Ditch Trailhead. We walked a little distance and discussed taking this trail, which could be a short 1 mile walk or a much longer 9 mile walk, through an area originally constructed to convey water for mining gold. It was quite pretty, considered a prime example of montane flora and fauna, but we opted to continue the ride up the mountain.

The views were stunning, and the scenic overlooks were well positioned. The photo (below left) was at one of my favorite overlooks, the Mather Overlook. But we kept on driving up and up until we finally reached the Wheeler Peak Overlook, and then ultimately the Wheeler Peak Campground, which was the access point for several additional trailheads.

On this Monday afternoon in the park, we kept it simple and just walked around the ADA-accessible Sky Island Forest Trail. This was a fairly flat, well-groomed walk (much of it on a board walk), providing an introduction with interpretive signs to the plants and animals at this level of the mountain. Tom made notes for a return hike on Tuesday, where he would tackle the Alpine Lakes Loop (while I bird-watched at the lower level!).

In addition to my bird-watching, I have to admit how much fun it was to watch the local wildlife when they would come out from hiding. Along our multiple routes throughout Nevada, we saw ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and countless toads and lizards.

And a road-runner. And a family of quail.

Finally, we were ready to head back down the mountain to the Border Inn, for dinner and a good night's rest.

The descent somehow was not as scary as the ascent, probably because we were on the inside edge of the road, not next to the dropoff side. The views were endless--even when photographing from inside the car while it was moving.