June 10, 2009

June 10, 2009

From Valley of Fire in southern Nevada we head north along the Great Basin Highway. We drive most of the day thru mostly desolate areas before arriving at Great Basin National Park. The Great Basin Desert encompasses most of Nevada and is the country’s only cold desert. I can attest to the cold. It is in the low 60’s and breezy. Compared to Arizona and Las Vegas this is downright freezing. Another distinguishing feature of the Great Basin is the lack of river outflows. Despite the high elevation, the little bit of rain that falls in the region stays here, ending in salty inland seas or marshes.

The Great Basin is crossed with a series of parallel mountain ranges. Although the valleys are mostly dry flat sagebrush expanses, the mountains are pretty and islands of fertility. After spending some time in the Visitor Center, we pick out a campsite nestled in a forest of Quaking Aspens. It is also starts to rain. You would never think we were in the middle of the Great Basin desert.