Best trails in Great Basin National Park

Spectacular day with breath-taking views. Trail is heavily traveled & easy to follow with signage at junctions & red blazed on the lower segment. Above tree-line, the winds were very strong at times, enough to cause resistance. Almost 2 months ago to the day, I got caught high up on the ridge in a thunder & lightning storm, which forced a hastily retreat down the mountain. Felt amazing to complete this one on a blue sky day. There's a trail register at the summit & for wildlife, I only saw a lone buck foraging in the forest. Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is paved & there's no charge for parking or to enter Great Basin National Park. Overall, I feel like this is a moderate hike with a steady incline until about the final 300-400 feet or so, as the ridge steepens during final summit push. There is no scrambling involved. The trail was completely dry from start to finish. Climb time: 2 hrs 45 min up & 2 hrs 15 min down.

Stepping onto the Bristlecone Pine Glacier Trail in Great Basin National Park is to move through time and elevation, where ancient trees stand sentinel and glaciers nestle in alpine solitude. Arriving at the trailhead at about 1pm, I found the parking lot already full, fortunately, roadside parking less than a quarter of a mile away was available, making for a short and pleasant walk to the trail’s official start. If you plan a weekend visit in peak season, factor in a little extra time for parking, as early birds will have an easier go of it. While the Bristlecone Pine Glacier Trail is often rated as relatively easy, the elevation—over 10,000 feet—demands respect. The trail’s gentle grades and clear path are welcoming, but the thin alpine air and the strong mountain sun can catch even experienced hikers off guard. The heat, surprisingly intense despite the elevation, made hydration and sun protection essential. On the way up to the glacier, a stop at the celebrated Bristlecone loop, where ancient, twisted pines—some over 3,000 years old—is a must. Past this loop, the trail becomes noticeably more exposed, weaving through open alpine terrain. There’s little shelter from the sun, so ample sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and plenty of water are non-negotiable. Even in July, the sun’s rays at this altitude felt relentless. The views are breathtaking: from dense stands of bristlecone pine, you emerge into wind-swept openness with sweeping vistas of rocky peaks and distant desert basins. The transition is remarkable; less than half an hour before reaching the trailhead, I was traversing sunbaked desert, yet here I stood amid snow patches and ancient trees under a clear blue sky.

All trials is wrong... There is no access to the trailhead because the Great Basin national Park has some construction going on. . Take the summit trailhead. And then merge on to the loop mentioned in the all trials here....

IMPORTANT DIRECTIONS FOR VISITING LEXINGTON ARCH: DO NOT follow the Google directions from Great Basin National Park. Instead, stay on Highway 21 until you see the Lexington Creek Road turnoff and the Lexington Arch sign. This is the correct and safer route. We mistakenly followed the Google directions, and thankfully we had our Tacoma. The road was rocky, steep, and had questionable navigation—definitely more suited for ATVs than standard vehicles. TRAIL NOTES:     •    The arch itself is beautiful and worth the hike.     •    The trail becomes a nice single-track path once you get past the first three-quarters of a mile, where the road is washed out.     •    You’ll find 3–5 red trail markers, mostly in the early part of the hike.     •    There’s very little shade, so start early in the morning to avoid the heat. OTHER TIPS:     •    We loved being able to bring our dogs! Reminder: There is NO natural water on the trail, so bring extra for your furry friends.

This hike was well worth the drive to get to Great Basin NP. Challenging, but not overly so, and you get most of the vertical in the last 2 to 2.5 miles. Very exposed for that stretch as well, so start early if you can, and be mindful of the wind: it was blowing at least gale force once I reached the first crest/shoulder, but very mild at the summit. Recommended!!

This was the most beautiful hike I’ve ever done in my life. Would recommend to ANYONE going to Great Basin who wants to see clear water and beautiful scenery.