Joan and I had no desire to move beyond eastern Nevada. Reno is not much further away. And with the 4th of July looming, we knew the closer we drove to California, the more crowded we would find places.
So we took the USFS office advice in Ely and went to the Mt. Moriah Wilderness Area.
We camped out at an obscure trailhead on the desert floor and then hiked up to a tableland in the bristlecone pines.
In between the alpine and desert, we saw an incredibly diverse terrain in between. Sage to ponderosa to aspen to bristlecone…all in ten miles and 5000′ of gain. Amazing.
The night sky continued to inspire, and we even saw a bit of history with some “arborglyphs“ over 85 years old from the Basque sheepherders who frequented this area.
After the trip, we relished another quiet evening where we started.
To say we enjoyed this area is an understatement. The beauty, the isolation, and the lack of easy access all add to a place where we know we will return.
We will soon leave our “Ely vortex” and make our way down the so-called “Loneliest Road in America” to Reno.
Until then, we will treasure our memories of Nevada.
As a side note: I’ve recently been (gently) chastised because I’ve named the general areas in Nevada where we visited. On the other hand, last week someone stated I’m elitist and a gatekeeper because I am too vague, only speak in generalities, and do not give trailhead info, maps, directions, etc. I guess I’m doing something right then!
One of the most incredible places I’ve ever experienced. Thanks so much for sharing it with me!