Great Basin Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
The Great Basin is that portion of the United States, comprising most of Nevada and portions of California, Oregon, Idaho and Utah, which does not drain to the sea. Geographically, this region is bounded by the Sierra Nevada in the west, the Wasatch range in the east, the Columbia Plateau in the north, and the Mohave desert in the south.
Contents |
Regions
Cities
Major cities in the Great Basin include Reno, Boise and Salt Lake City.
Other destinations
Understand
The Great Basin is characterized by a series of north-south running mountain ranges separated by relatively flat basins. The highest peaks in these ranges are over 13,000 feet, while the lowest points in the basins are about 4000 feet. Due to the "rain-shadow" effect from the Sierra Nevada, the Great Basin is very arid, with annual precipitation varying from approximately 4 inches per year to 10 inches per year, although the highest peaks can see significantly more precipitation. Most of this precipitation occurs in the form of snow in the winter, and is thus not available to plant life during the growing season. The predominant vegetation is sagebrush and shadscale in the lower elevations and dispersed Pinon-Juniper woodland in the higher elevations. Runoff collects in "playa" (dry lake-beds) or in a few cases year-round lakes and from there evaporates.
As well over 80% of the land in the Great Basin is publicly owned, opportunities for outdoor recreation are, quite literally, everywhere. Due to the region's remoteness and harshness, though, thorough planning is a necessity. Always bring reserves of fuel and water, and do not count on getting cell phone reception.
Talk
Get in
By plane
Major airports in the region are located in Reno, Boise and Salt Lake City. Smaller airports are located in Elko and Ely.
By train
Reno and Salt Lake City are both served by Amtrak.
Get around
To get anywhere in the Great Basin outside of the major cities will require a car. Four-wheel drive is not a necessity during the summer months, but a high-clearance vehicle is necessary for traveling to the remote areas.
See
- Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park
- Lunar Crater
- Black Rock Desert
Do
Hiking
Interesting hikes in the Great Basin are plentiful. Water, rather than access is generally the limiting factor. Many people limit themselves to a series of day-hikes rather than overnight trips in order to ensure water supplies. Aspen groves are a good indication of year-round water supplies, and in the autumn their golden leaves can be easily visible from a great distance.
See California desert camping for more advice.
- Arc Dome Wilderness Area
- Ruby Mountains
- Great Basin National Park
Fishing
- Pyramid Lake
- Walker Lake
- Sheldon Wildlife Refuge
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Get out
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