Established in 1986, Great Basin National Park in eastern Nevada is a tribute to the unique Great Basin region in the western United States. From the sagebrush desert at its alluvial base to the 13,063 foot summit of Wheeler Peak, Great Basin National Park includes 5 ecological zones, which include streams, lakes, alpine plants, abundant wildlife and a variety of forest types including groves of ancient Bristlecone Pines. Great Basin National Park comprises 120 square miles (77,100 acres) in an isolated area of the north-central Great Basin Desert. It includes much of the South Snake Range, a superb example of a metamorphic core complex. Represented within the Park are at least 14,000 feet of marine sedimentary rocks ranging in age from Cambrian through Pennsylvanian.

Part way up the eastern flank of Wheeler’s Peak, behind the Visitor Center, is the entrance to Lehman Caves, a marble-limestone solution cavern famous for the diversity of its decorated passages and galleries extending deep into the mountain.

Introduction

Great Basin National Park, established in 1986, preserves a diverse environment including palatial limestone caves, Nevada’s largest glacier and stands of bristlecone pine, the world’s oldest tree. Lehman Caves National Monument has been part of the Park Service for 75 years, first designated in 1922 by President Warren G. Harding. The Great Basin is a huge dry region of the western United States, which consists of 90 alternating valleys and mountain ranges. It stretches from the Wasatch Mountains in Utah to the Sierra Nevada range in California . The encircling mountains mean that rivers and streams do not drain into the ocean, but soak into the ground or accumulate in landlocked lakes. In an otherwise dry and dusty environment, the mountains capture enough moisture to sustain ecosystems which are so rich as to be unimaginable on the plains below.

The 77,109 acre Great Basin National Park is one of the youngest national parks in the nation. Due to its age and great distance from major population centers Salt Lake City and Las Vegas are both over 250 miles away the park is rarely crowded. Expect to see more animals than people while hiking the park’s 65 miles of trails.

A visit to Great Basin usually begins at the Lehman Caves, a quarter mile long subterranean landscape of limestone and marble chambers carved by water seeping through cracks in the rock. Mineral-rich water then created fantastic stalactites and stalagmites, columns, flowstones, rare shields and clusters of snow-white needles.

A 12 mile highway known as Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive takes visitors into the heart of the Snake Range. From here an easy hiking trail leads to the top of Wheeler Peak (el. 13,063 feet) the second-highest summit in Nevada. As the road climbs, the arid sagebrush of the desert floor sinks away below and pinon-juniper woodlands and aspen trees start to appear along with clumps of manzanita shrubs and mount...

Forests that seem to run on forever, ridge after ridge of green crossing the border between Tennessee and North Carolina , The Great Smoky Mountains are an outdoorsmans paradise, or at the very least, his or her playground.

The Smoky Mountains, known the world over for their vast diversity in animal life, plant life and just life in general, these mountains with their ancient beauty and a culture nearly as ancient as they are, are one of the most visited places in America, yet still retain the wild look, feel and reality, with bear, hawk, eagle and deer literally surrounding you as you travel through them.

The perfect fall weather, the perfect brook trout stream

The Smoky Mountains are lined with over 900 miles of trails that are maintained each year by volunteers.
The trails range from short half day hikes to very difficulit strenuous journies that will probably require overnight camping in the high backcountry.

More than the hiking, the mountains are a paradise for nearly any outdoor activitiy, whether its fishing, picnics, mountain biking, horse or trail riding, wildlife viewing and photograpy, or just a simply relaxing stay in one of the many cabins and campgrounds that can be found scattered among the mountains.

Clingman's Dome, for serious hikers

Many of the parks campers and hikers come to the mountain trails hoping to see their first black bear in the wild, and with some 1500 bears living here, its quite likely that you will. Among the other wildlife such as birds of prey, deer and myriad smaller creatures, in 2001, the Smoky Mountain Park service began a program to introduce elk back into the area.

A big old boar bear breaks through the bushes..( say that real fast!!)

Once upon a time elk were scattered over the Smokies but due to overhunting and habitat loss they began to be eliminated.
Several other animals which were introduced successfully from breeder pairs to return to their native habitat are barn owls and the beautiful river otter.

The Smoky mountains have one of the most biologically diverse areas in the entire world among temperate zones, wtih an amazing display of not only animals, but also plant life available to see as well.

Hiking the peak trails in the Smokies can be arduous

The higher elevations in the mountains can see some tricky weather, with a sunny day of about 70 degrees one day and a twenty degree day of snow the next, however it is far more temperate in the lower areas if you’re not of the hardy winter camping or hiking stock.

Typically in the lower elevations,the weather is fairly moderate, with very hot humid summers and very cool, but mild winters, however when you plan your trip, do bear in mind that you will be visiting an area whose elevations have a very broad range, from about 800 feet on up to about 7000 feet, so the weather between the two can be quite different.
The temps can change 20=30 degrees between the bottom and the top and j...

The Green Mountain National Forest is located in the southwestern and west-central Vermont and the Finger Lakes National Forest is located in central New York . With 350,000 acres and over 500 miles of trails spanning more than two-thirds of Vermont, the Green Mountain National Forest offers near endless opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get into the great outdoors year-round. From rugged mountain tops to secluded streams, you’ll discover the ideal place for every activity from hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing to canoeing and snowmobiling. The legendary Appalachian Trail and Long Trail run through the Green Mountain National Forest with a network of well-maintained shelters spaced a day’s hike apart.

History & Culture

The Green Mountain National Forest was established in 1932 after uncontrolled logging, fire and flooding ravaged the state of Vermont. Today, the Green Mountain National Forest has grown tract by tract to almost 400,000 acres that stretch across nearly two-thirds the length of Vermont. The mission of the Forest is to sustain, protect and enhance forest ecosystems. The Forest is within a day’s drive of 70 million people. The seventy-fifth anniversary of the establishment of Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest will be marked on April 25, 2007. Encompassing a boundary area of approximately 629,000 acres roughly 385,000 (or 62%) is federally owned the Green Mountain is one of only two National Forests in the Northeast.

The Finger Lakes National Forest was formed out the Hector Land Use Area that was originally created during the Great Depression. Between 1890 and the Great Depression, over a million acres of farmland was abandoned in south central New York State. Between 1938 and 1941, over 100 farms were purchased in the area now in the National Forest. This land was named the Hector Land Use Area. When this region was later consolidated within the Forest Service’s Northeast Region, Hector became an administrative unit of the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont.

In 1982, Congress enacted legislation to make this a permanent part of the National Forest System and the Hector Ranger District, Green Mountain National Forest, had been created. In 1985, the forest became known as the Hector Ranger District, Finger Lakes National Forest so it would be less confusing to visitors and promote local pride about the area.

Recreation

The Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests are a four-season recreation experience. The most popular season is autumn when the trees and pastures are ablaze with color. Autumn is also very popular for hunting in the woods and brush lands of the forest. Summer is popular for camping, hiking, horseback riding and fishing. Winter brings out cross country skiers, snowmobiles and snowshoe enthusiasts. In spring, the Forest bursts forth from the grip of winter with emerging leaves on the trees, bird flyway activity a...