It’s not only the hike and the altitude, but you are also going back and forth each time to set up the tripod and camera for those beautiful shots. Respect!
In 2014 I attempted this hike but my car "dropped the tranny" at the Summit Trailhead parking lot on my way to Wheeler Peak campground. I was towed to Ely, NV. Told I needed a new transmission, I ended up towing the car (2004 Audi Avant) behind a rented U Haul across NV on Hwy 50 home to the Bay area. In 2021, now in SoCal, I made the drive you did and finally bagged the peak. As an aside, the google street view of the Summit TH is from Sept 2014 which is the same month this happened and I think I can see my trans fluid stain on the right edge of the lot. That's where I waited for the tow haha. Thanks for the video, it's a fun memory now, not so much then!
Yes! I loved this video. Really good editing, great mix of shots/talk overs/interactions, and some great humor. Very entertaining to watch while also interesting and informative. Not easy to do when making a video so hats off to you my friend! Look forward to more 👍 cheers
That's my local 711 in Newport! Awesome stuff dude. Hate to say what everyone has already said but you are an absolute beast and you make these VERY strenuous hikes look so easy. Huge inspiration for those of us who want to get out and tackle some hikes on the weekend. Great work Cris!
This is gonna be an awesome challenge series - can’t wait to follow each one. Had no idea Great Basin National Park was so scenic, let alone had a glacier! Great adventure.
Hiking Guy, Boundary Peak in NV most of it has a clear trail except for the ridge lots of boulders. The Queens Mine Rd very narrow and rough to access TH. Hope this helps.
Wheeler Peak is a great hike, one of my favourite day hikes! The whole park is really nice, and definitely worth the long drive (from anywhere) to enjoy a crowd free national park
the driving to hike can be a show stopper! I crossed the death valley from vegas to whitney and it messed me up… keep strong chris… hoping to see the other 49 peaks 👍🏻 🇺🇸
Briefly visited Great Basin NP a few years ago, too much snow to do Wheeler Peak - I want to go back. Stayed in Baker at the Stargazer Inn and Bristlecone General Store. Clean basic accommodations and the general store had a nice array of cheeses and other goodies - quite a surprise given how remote the area is.
Love your videos! Picked up the “pro tip” on how you deal with the long tail of your chest strap- looping it back through! Nice touch. Here’s a recommendation for you- add the Hyperlite Contour Removable Hip Belt to your Osprey Hikelite. It helps disperse the load and has plenty large enough pockets for cell phones, sunglasses and snacks. Was a game changer for my Hikelite!
Hiked this last year, actually thought it was the highest mountain in Nevada, didn’t find out until later that night it was Boundary. Passed by Boundary in my car a few days later on my way to hike Whitney (Wheeler was my last training hike). Not too bad other than that last 1 mile and half or so.
Awesome! Wheeler Pk is beautiful peak...hiked it a long time ago. If you ever get the chance regardless fo series... I highly recommend Ruby Dome in the Ruby Mountains Wilderness. The entire wilderness is just amazingly beautiful. Absolutely love you series. Pretty amazing to see how much you have expanded content wise! Appreciate it!
I've done Boundry Peak twice both times it was complicated route finding. Wheeler Peak in the Great Basin National Park is a really good hike in a scenic area and, for sure, is worth doing even if you do Boundry Peak. The Great Basin National Park area is rated the best dark sky area in the Continental U.S. for star gazing. Good video of the hike and the area. Thank you.
@Hikingguy Yes, it is a good summit. If you're ambitious, you can go to Montgomery Peak also. It's in California a short little down and up from Boundry. I kind of wanted to do it with Boundry the last time I did Boundry. Many people do both. I was just too tired, and it looked like pretty difficult class 2/3 climb to do being as tired as I was.
Whoa you stayed at the little hotel on the border, braver than me lol. Driven by there a a lot on the way to mt bike in Utah and Colorado. I did your day one hike about a decade ago, its a nice area to stop by while your passing by.
Tried doing wheeler in the late fall and had to start way below the main trailhead because the road was closed for the season the 3am wake up call had me hiking in the coldest temperatures I had ever been in, well into the negatives. Had to turn back at about 12000ft since my boots had completely frozen through and my feet were in unbearable pain. Started to thaw back out once i got back down to about 9000ft. Definitely gotta make my way back up there and It would probably be a good idea to do it before november haha.
You are the best! Thanks for all you do for the community. I was a little confused at the start because I thought Mt Charleston was the highest peak in NV but I guess I was wrong. I am looking forward to Wheeler Peak in NM. I attempted it a few years ago and got blown off and only made it to the junction after all the steep access roads. Getting after it again in a month or so.
Thank you and yea, Charleston is tall but not the highest, also a great hike. I was considering doing it again on the way back but just ran out of juju. Have fun in NM, looking forward to that one myself.
New York - Giant to Rocky Peak Ridge and out to New Russia. Longest ridge walk in the Adirondacks, 10.6 miles , have someone drop you off at beginning walk back to your car. Do it in late September when the leaves have turned, breathtaking and then on to New England.
Really enjoyed this video; had me laughing in parts. I've never seen what Great Basin NP looks like. Didn't know anything about it. Was surprised to see how alpine it is and with Bristlecone Pines even! Thought it would be a desert Joshua NP type terrain. You've inspired me to go check it out. Looking forward to your guide. Great job. Thanks
Nice. This made me yearn for another road trip, but I have responsibilities at home so it's challenging. I went to Great Basin NP a few years ago and really enjoyed it. I took more time though, and had a few nights (camping) in the park, first at the lower campground, then at the Wheeler Peak CG. I did that lake loop, but not up to the glacier. The summit hike really hit me much harder than I expected, even with a couple days acclimating, especially climbing the upper section. But it was totally worth it!
Cris, this was a particularly well composed video, with an engaging storyline and fine videography. My only suggestion would be to lower the music volume by one-third or one-half. Otherwise, one would be hard pressed to find anything to fault--except that punishing ten-hour drive. I would have been in no condition to do that afternoon preparatory hike.
When you get to my home state of Connecticut, suggest you hit the south slope of Frissell to bag the state high point but also do Bear Mountain. They can be done on the same hike as they are close to each other. The summit of Bear Mountain offers better views. Enjoyed this video, congrats on a nice hike and summit!
Thank you for the post. Years ago I was traveling solo back home to KC from from Palmdale.I drove to Bishop, then US6 to GB Natty. I was in my early 60's, and the next morningI hiked to the lakes, Maybe my most enjoyable, and memorable solo hikes ever. Loved the place.
This is a great video! I really enjoy your style of shooting and storytelling. The high peak series you’re doing is extremely intriuging. I’m a 27 y/o guy from chicago maybe doing this same hike in the next week also solo! Seeing just got me even more excited. Looking forward to the rest of this series. I would love to come out and tag along on one of these unless you’re planning on doing them all solo
We were at Great Basin NP a few weeks ago for the first time. We have driven by it many many times but never stopped to check it out. I'm glad we finally did. We didn't hit the summit on our visit, but we did do the shorter hike up to the glacier at the base of the summit that sits at about 11K and had it all to ourselves. Looking forward to when we can go back to check out the summit.
The timing of this video could have been more perfect! Especially your videos always so informative. Headed up there next month to check out Great Basin NP and also hike Wheeler Peak. We are breaking up the 10 hour drive from San Diego and staying in Vegas half way. Never been to this park, I am really excited to check it out. Cathedral Gorge on my list too.
Great video! Hiked in Great Basin in 1995-ish, don't remember the trail, pre-internet days (i think my computer was MS-DOS still? Had to carry around travel books with me), but i was traveling cross country for work so was not that prepared. A woman on the trail with her hiking partner insisted i take one of her pears. I was okay (still young!), but that was the best tasting pear I have ever had and remember it to this day. Thanks for the reminder! Be careful not to hike or drive if you are too over-tired!
Great video. Editing and style were very good. You are to be commended for getting this one done in such a short time, given the distance from OC (and the fact you drove there). Too bad about the Border Inn experience. Always a toss-up whether or not you'll get a decent night's sleep in out-of-the-way motels. I think the deer was moving out of the way because it was surprised by your amazing dancing skills... as we all were.
This format is perfect. Relatable, informative and funny. I absolutely love your channel. Thank you for all the effort that goes into your videos. I travel from Missouri to the Rockies every year to bag a peak and boy is it tough (because only a couple days of acclimating). It always smacks me around 12-13k and I have to take frequent breaks. I did Wheeler Pk, NM last year and it wasn’t bad at all. Trail is marked really well.
Nice I did Wheeler back in May. I also did the lake loop hike tied with the glacier the day prior. Nice spot out there. You can stay at the dispersed camping just down the road for anyone else looking to go this way. “Sacramento Pass”
I love a good road trip almost as much as a good hike! That was really great. And yeah....lots of FLDS live in those smaller southern Utah towns. Our distant cousins stick out like a sore thumb.😂😂
I spent a few days in Great Basin Natl. Park in October of last year. The drive from Las Vegas was amazing with such vast open spaces. I was going to attempt to do this hike, but a storm came in and they closed the scenic drive. I did a few other, shorter hikes instead and did the tour of Lehman Caves. I spent two nights at the Border Inn and was glad to leave. I couldn't believe the rooms had no TVs. Anyway great video, and looking forward to the next one.
Ha yea I was surprised there was no TV at the Border Inn either, you don't see that much in the USA unless you're in a wilderness lodge, etc. Wish the restaurant was open so I could have gotten a meal.
Awesome video! I think I may have spent one more night there and make the long drive back the following morning. I’d also bring my backpacking stove and cook my own meals if I were driving to these peaks. Looking forward to the next! 🙏
great video. I love this challenge. Although I did Boundry Peak back in the 90's it was not too hard to follow the trail. Also, why didn't you fly to Vegas for about 20 bucks from LA? It would of saved lots of driving time
With time to the airport, waiting for flight, etc. it worked out to about the same amount of time but more $$$ - no flights for $20 when I was looking unfortunately.
You are right Wheeler Peak NM is hike-able to the top and a beautiful trail. You can access it from either Taos or Red River although I usually hike from Taos. Love your list and premise. Enjoy!
I was there may 27th hike i was wanting to hike wheeler but it was still closed. There is a nice cafe there in baker and a mini RV camp n motel with shower for $2 bucks.
I couldn’t help but be surprised at how much junk food you were eating. Not saying to drink a mushroom sludge shake or squid ink instead of coffee, just maybe pack some better alternatives. Love your channel and the 50 peaks mission.
When you stopped at Pahranagat NWR, you were near the dirt road to the trailhead for Tikaboo Peak, the best viewpoint for seeing Area 51, 26 miles away from the peak. A fun hike of about 1000 elevation gain plus a bit of ups/downs. I've gone up it in summer and in snow the whole way. It was actually easier in snow, which cements the short section of sliding rock which is otherwise the only hard part, two steps forward, slide 1 step back. The little grocery store in Alamo at one of the gas stations, has groceries, supplies, and good pre-made food. Why you didn't stop for breakfast at a Vegas casino is beyond me, unless casinos are a danger zone for you. Great food cheap, whether you do a buffet (less common than they used to be) or a 24-hour restaurant with breakfast specials around the clock, with one of my favorites for value being at South Point, but there are numerous good ones.
Tikaboo Peak is on my list, plan on doing it in the winter. Glad to hear it's a good one. And re:Vegas, just wanted to eat and drive at the same time, otherwise that would have been a great option.
Great video. Taum Sauk in Missouri is pretty remote. Let me know if you need a lift from the airport. If I can make it work I would be glad to help because your videos have helped me
