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Wheeler Peak - 5 members in 16 triplogs have rated this an average 4.8 ( 1 to 5 best )
16 triplogs
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Jun 30 2022
avatar

 Guides 99
 Routes 1,484
 Photos 16,072
 Triplogs 1,374

male
 Joined Jan 07 2017
 Fountain Hills,
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Hiking avatar Jun 30 2022
DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,374
Hiking9.43 Miles 3,006 AEG
Hiking9.43 Miles   6 Hrs   4 Mns   1.89 mph
3,006 ft AEG   1 Hour   4 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
This one has been on my hike list for a while, and I finally managed to hike it.

This hike is about as straightforward as it gets -- there is an easy to follow trail from the TH to the summit. The upper part of the trail goes through a talus field, but it is still fairly easy to hike on -- as far as I am concerned, this is a class 1 hike all the way.

It was crazy windy once you got up to a ridgeline, and stayed that way most of the way to the summit. I would guess that the winds were 30 mph.

I enjoyed the hike and it was an easier hike than I thought that it would be. If I lived in the area I imagine that I would do this hike a few times in the summer.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Bald Mountain  Buck Mountain  Ibapah Peak  Mount Moriah  Stella Lake  Teresa Lake  Wheeler Peak
_____________________
Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there
 
Sep 18 2020
avatar

 Guides 110
 Routes 2,246
 Photos 8,982
 Triplogs 2,600

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Hiking avatar Sep 18 2020
LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600
Hiking8.72 Miles 2,933 AEG
Hiking8.72 Miles   5 Hrs   25 Mns   1.81 mph
2,933 ft AEG      36 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Cool, cloudy, and breezy to start. Lots of fall color. First 2.5 miles are easy, only gaining about 800’. The next 2 miles to the summit are steep, gaining 2100’. Very windy on those 2 miles, but not all that cold. Great views since you’re above timber line for those 2 miles. Generally good footing, but some loose talus here and there. Walked around the top, chatted with a few people, then headed back down.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Stella Lake 76-100% full 76-100% full
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Sep 14 2020
avatar

 Photos 5
 Triplogs 1,041

36 female
 Joined Oct 04 2012
 Phoenix, AZ
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Hiking avatar Sep 14 2020
WaitingForRain • Triplogs 1,041
Hiking9.00 Miles 2,866 AEG
Hiking9.00 Miles   5 Hrs   41 Mns   1.58 mph
2,866 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Sep 09 2020
avatar

 Guides 12
 Routes 192
 Photos 863
 Triplogs 356

42 male
 Joined Nov 30 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Run/Jog avatar Sep 09 2020
ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356
Run/Jog8.57 Miles 2,866 AEG
Run/Jog8.57 Miles   2 Hrs   34 Mns   3.34 mph
2,866 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Showed up at the TH a little after 1pm after driving from Elko, and the sign said it's a 6-10 hour hike. I said, we'll see.

First 2+ miles was mellow enough to jog, which I did. Obviously that means the last 1.5 miles should be pretty steep. I put on my light jacket (it was getting windy) and started the climb.

It's really a pretty easy trail, but holy cow, it was cold and windy. That's probably why I didn't see anyone on the summit trail. In a couple of places, it almost blew me over.

I took shelter on the leeward side of the ridge about a quarter mile from the top, since I noticed my entire wind-facing left arm was numb. Moved it around a little to increase circulation, then made the final push to the top.

Fortunately at the top it was a bit less windy, and there are rock shelters as well. So I got to spend a minute or two there. At this point I noticed the water in my hydration bladder's hose was starting to turn to slush.

Made quick time of the descent, just to get down off the ridge.

Overall pretty easy summit, I don't feel like I did much besides freeze my butt off. Very worthwhile though.
_____________________
 
Aug 23 2020
avatar

 Guides 59
 Routes 1,100
 Photos 1,176
 Triplogs 1,290

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Hiking avatar Aug 23 2020
pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290
Hiking8.60 Miles 2,866 AEG
Hiking8.60 Miles
2,866 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
 
Jul 13 2019
avatar

 Guides 8
 Routes 70
 Photos 3,208
 Triplogs 273

59 male
 Joined Oct 07 2017
 Chandler, AZ
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Hiking avatar Jul 13 2019
Yoder • Triplogs 273
Hiking8.60 Miles 2,900 AEG
Hiking8.60 Miles   5 Hrs   39 Mns   1.87 mph
2,900 ft AEG   1 Hour   3 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Saturday morning me and my 3 brothers started hiking about 7am. Hardly saw anyone most of the way up. Hike starts nice and gradual through pine and aspen forest. Take a 0.2 mile detour to Stella lake for a real nice view of the lake, and continue back on the main trail. Views just keep getting better and better the further you go.

Had to take a number of stops to catch the breath, but actually not as bad as I expected things to be since I live at about 1,200'. There were a number of spots on the hike that still had snow.

Some nice wildflowers on the last leg of the hike just before the final push to the top of the peak.

Probably saw about 6 folks on the way up. On the way down a couple of dozen folks making there way up. A great hike with some of the best views I can I have ever seen.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  American Three-toed Woodpecker
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Great Basin National Park  Stella Lake  Teresa Lake  Wheeler Peak
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
J. Yoder
  2 archives
Aug 17 2017
avatar

 Guides 73
 Routes 176
 Photos 10,174
 Triplogs 2,324

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Hiking avatar Aug 17 2017
Jim • Triplogs 2,324
Hiking10.70 Miles 3,800 AEG
Hiking10.70 Miles   7 Hrs   50 Mns   1.89 mph
3,800 ft AEG   2 Hrs   10 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Wheeler was an interesting hike after Boundary 1 week ago, as it is distinctly different from the true highpoint on the western edge of the state. Wheeler is regarded by some to be the true high point for Nevada, as it isn’t a sub-peak off of a higher California peak, and it is an ultra-prominent peak. It has a very Rocky Mountain feel, where as Boundary has a Sierra feel. It’s pretty, and different, and the trail is well built, but today was cool, cloudy, and more Colorado like than I enjoy. It was still very nice, and it was dry!

Probably the most noteworthy thing about this vs. Boundary, is that hardly anyone seems to hike Boundary. Wheelers see quite a few people, far more than even Charleston Peak when I was there last month, and that is near Las Vegas. There are lots of places to find solitude in the park, if you find this summit overwhelming.

I seem to no longer be acclimated to altitude the way I was 5 years ago, but I still got up in 2 hours 10 minutes. 2 hours spent on the summit left me with plenty of time to tag Bald Mountain and be back by 5 PM. Autumn already appears to be starting up here, and there is red in the patches of Alpine Avens. I thought the best summit views were of the other peaks to the south. All in all, I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable alpine mountain summit!
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Limber Pine
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
🍭
  1 archive
Jul 31 2016
avatar

 Guides 4
 Routes 491
 Photos 10,890
 Triplogs 1,257

55 male
 Joined Nov 20 2012
 Phoenix, AZ
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Hiking avatar Jul 31 2016
BiFrost • Triplogs 1,257
Hiking10.19 Miles 3,303 AEG
Hiking10.19 Miles   6 Hrs   33 Mns   1.86 mph
3,303 ft AEG   1 Hour   4 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
slowandsteady
After being pushed back on the Wheeler Peak ridgeline the day before by thunder and lightning we decided to try again this time getting 630am start. We also started from the campground instead of Summit TH which added about 300 feet of AEG. However, still an easy trail up through the aspens and back up on the main ridgeline. Getting the early start there was no worry of thunderstorms but we did get some light on and off sprinkles. Finally made the summit about 10 o'clock spending about 30 minutes on top. Great views and only one other person on the summit. After the previous day we were very happy to get this summit and took nice leisurely hike back to the campground.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Reference Mark
_____________________
  1 archive
Jul 31 2016
avatar

 Routes 67
 Photos 966
 Triplogs 694

51 female
 Joined Jan 05 2012
 Phoenix,AZ
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Hiking avatar Jul 31 2016
slowandsteady • Triplogs 694
Hiking10.19 Miles 3,303 AEG
Hiking10.19 Miles   6 Hrs   33 Mns   1.86 mph
3,303 ft AEG   1 Hour   4 Mns Break
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
BiFrost
One good thing about spending the weekend, we had another day and opportunity to make Wheeler Peak. The last mile to the peak, felt like four.

We didn't hike out of Summit Trailhead this day. The Summit Trail has great views of Wheeler and aspens, but the campground trail has wooden bridges and little water crossings.
_____________________
 
Jul 30 2016
avatar

 Guides 4
 Routes 491
 Photos 10,890
 Triplogs 1,257

55 male
 Joined Nov 20 2012
 Phoenix, AZ
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Hiking avatar Jul 30 2016
BiFrost • Triplogs 1,257
Hiking14.26 Miles 3,611 AEG
Hiking14.26 Miles   7 Hrs   39 Mns   2.22 mph
3,611 ft AEG   1 Hour   13 Mns Break
 
Linked   linked  
Bristlecone - Glacier Trail
Partners partners
slowandsteady
Weekend in Great Basin National Park. The goal first day was to hike Wheeler Peak but we got a late start about 930 from the Summit TH. First two miles are easy trail with very nice aspen sections and mixed conifer. Eventually the trail hits the ridgeline which leads straight to the summit but unfortunately the majority of the elevation is in that last 2 miles. And with the late start the clouds started to build and we had to make a decision. About 600 feet and four tenths of a mile from the summit we ended up retreating from the ridgeline because of thunder and lightning.

Once back down the mountain of course things cleared up so we did side trip on Alpine Lakes loop first to Stella Lake and then Teresa Lake. After passing the lakes there is a side trail up to an old glacier which is now a Rock Glacier. There is a small ice field where the glacier used to be but it was still cool to see the glacial forces that created the valley as the trail weaves through piles of debris and moraine.

After that we headed back to camp in Wheeler Peak campground for happy hour with some tasty beverages. We had also decided to give Wheeler Peak another go next day but with a much earlier start.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Snowman
_____________________
  2 archives
Jul 30 2016
avatar

 Routes 67
 Photos 966
 Triplogs 694

51 female
 Joined Jan 05 2012
 Phoenix,AZ
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Hiking avatar Jul 30 2016
slowandsteady • Triplogs 694
Hiking14.26 Miles 3,611 AEG
Hiking14.26 Miles   7 Hrs   39 Mns   2.22 mph
3,611 ft AEG   1 Hour   13 Mns Break
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Bristlecone - Glacier Trail
Partners partners
BiFrost
We started too late to make it up Wheeler before a little storm rolled in. We went for safety first and headed back down.

We took a tour of the alpine lakes, Stella and Teresa. Then up to the Bristlecone Path and finally over to the Glacier/Rock Glacier.
_____________________
 
Oct 03 2014
avatar

 Guides 13
 Routes 38
 Photos 1,651
 Triplogs 577

60 male
 Joined Nov 15 2005
 Jackson, CA
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Hiking avatar Oct 03 2014
toddak • Triplogs 577
Hiking12.00 Miles 3,200 AEG
Hiking12.00 Miles   7 Hrs      1.71 mph
3,200 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Wow, what a great little National Park - peaks, glaciers, caves, lakes, creeks, wildlife and pine trees that started growing when Ramesses the Great was pharaoh of Egypt!
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Mule Deer
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Stella Lake  Teresa Lake
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial
_____________________
 
Sep 21 2014
avatar

 Triplogs 3

40 male
 Joined Apr 06 2012
 Chandler, AZ
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Hiking avatar Sep 21 2014
AJM16 • Triplogs 3
Hiking8.60 Miles 2,900 AEG
Hiking8.60 Miles   6 Hrs      1.43 mph
2,900 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
What an incredible hike! We were lucky enough to have the entire trail to ourselves. We must have been the only ones to summit that day since we didn't run into a single person and it would've been too late to start by the time we returned. A storm the night before left the peak dusted with snow. There were quite a few deer around the park and they weren't bothered by us hikers at all.
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial
_____________________
 
Jun 23 2013
avatar

 Guides 22
 Routes 6
 Photos 512
 Triplogs 466

34 male
 Joined May 17 2007
 CA
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Hiking avatar Jun 23 2013
rally_toad • Triplogs 466
Hiking8.60 Miles 2,900 AEG
Hiking8.60 Miles
2,900 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
3rd summit of Wheeler. First time this season. Cooler up there and real windy this day.
_____________________
"Who are you guys??!!" -Farnsworth
 
Jul 14 2010
avatar

 Guides 22
 Routes 6
 Photos 512
 Triplogs 466

34 male
 Joined May 17 2007
 CA
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Hiking avatar Jul 14 2010
rally_toad • Triplogs 466
Hiking8.00 Miles 2,903 AEG
Hiking8.00 Miles
2,903 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
My second summit of Wheeler Peak, still a great hike and an excellent climb, not as windy or cold this time and I also had company.
_____________________
"Who are you guys??!!" -Farnsworth
 
Jun 10 2010
avatar

 Guides 22
 Routes 6
 Photos 512
 Triplogs 466

34 male
 Joined May 17 2007
 CA
Wheeler PeakElko, NV
Wheeler Peak
Elko, NV
Hiking avatar Jun 10 2010
rally_toad • Triplogs 466
Hiking8.00 Miles 2,903 AEG
Hiking8.00 Miles
2,903 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
What a great hike. Summitted Wheeler today! High winds above treeline! Lots of snow on the middle section of trail. Pushed through the wind to reach the summit. 13,063 feet, beats my previous highest summit (Humphrey's) by a good 400 feet. Great Basin is an amazing park.

Was going to wait until all the snow had cleared, but just decided last minute that I really needed to slog up Wheeler, glad I did. Will be up there at least a few more times this summer I'm sure.
_____________________
"Who are you guys??!!" -Farnsworth
 
average hiking speed 1.85 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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