Fall Foliage in Great Basin National Park, NV, and Twin Peak Wilderness, UT

The Great Basin is one of the top U.S. National Parks to go for fall colors! The stands of bright golden aspen trees punctuated by the dark green pines with mountain background is what explorers can see while driving up Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. The lowest elevation found in Great Basin is 6,195 feet at Snake Creek.

Great Basin National Park is located in an extremely remote area of eastern Nevada. The tiny town of Baker is just outside the main entrance to the park.

With the very remote location and resulting low light pollution makes, Great Basin National Park has some of the darkest night skies and the best views of the Milky Way Galaxy in the United States, and on many nights one can spot it with the naked eye.

The itinerary gives us an opportunity to explore the area of Salt Lake City and pretty smaller towns nearby as well. For one day we can hike either Twin Peak Wilderness (more challenging trails) or Antelope Island State Park (easier trails), depending on the group's preference and preparedness.

Weather in our locations is expected to be cool with day average temperatures 55-60 degree F and dry. See updates of weather forecasts at: https://bit.ly/3QHhDSV

Trip's summary:

• 4days/3nights trip for a small group of 6 explorers,
• The starting and ending point is Salt Lake City, UT,
• Hotel accommodations in Baker, NV and Salt Lake City, UT. All locations in this event follow safety requirements by the state.
• Level of activities: Easy to Intermediate.

Clothes and gear recommended:

• good hiking shoes,
• warm jacket for evenings, be ready to layer up,
• hiking poles if you used to them,
• consider hydration bladder for hikes,
• sunglasses,
• sunscreen,
• hat.

Tentative cost $500 that includes:

• 4days/3nights stay in 2-people occupancy non-smoking room (two beds in room),
• Transportation by minivan (like Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Grand or similar) covering approx. 700 mi of road-tripping total,
• Park entrance fee,
• Organized hikes in all days.

What is NOT included:

• Meals, snacks, water (we will drive for grocery shopping.)
• Getting to and from Salt Lake City, UT.

Sunrise: 7:20am. Sunset: 7:10pm. We want to start off from hotel at 7-7:30am (to use more of daylight for activities.)

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UPD. There will be a Zoom meeting on this trip and a WhatsApp group chat will be formed for the group to communicate and prepare for the trip. Please be available to connect by WhatsApp (provide the organizer with your WhatsApp contact info to be included in the chat.) Regular messaging will not work out for this trip.