Sacramento Pass, NV

[DonTom]

I am now at Sacramento Pass, NV.

I discovered Verizon works fine at the upper lot, but not at all at the lower lot. I just hiked up to the upper lot on the Sacramento Pass Trail. With my computer.

I really enjoy this place. Endless hiking areas, all very scenic. Here are a few photos of this place asw ell as some of the areas I hiked to from here.

-Don- Sacramento Pass, NV

 

[DonTom]

A few more photos:

My Y2K Class C across the pond:

I am now sending these messages from here:

 

[DonTom]

There are only 9 RV spots here total, six down here and three more on top of the hill. Right now, every spot is taken, up the hill, one tent and two RVs. Down here all six spots with RVs.

When I got here early on a weekday, Thursday morning, I got the first slot on the way in, this place had a few unused spots then.

But it can fill up fast.

-Don- Sacramento Pass, NV

 

[Jackiemac]

Near Great Basin?

 

[DonTom]

Near Great Basin?

Yes, in fact, I just returned from there. The main visitor center is open. All but one campground is still closed. Two RVs in it. The dump stations are closed. The Lehman Caves Visitor Center is closed, as well as the caves.

If the dump station was open, I would have stayed there for a couple of nights. But it is all locked up "for the season". So now I am on my way back home, taking my time.

Only 20 miles from Sacramento Pass by road, only a few miles for a high flying bird as SP is just north over a couple of tall mountains from Great Basin. But a lot cooler in great Basin. It was on the cold side, but Sac Pass was on the warm side when I left and when I came back that way. Great Basin Park is known as NV's coldest desert.

So I am now at the Ely McDonald's for a quick lunch.

I was able to dump here in Ely at the Chevron Station (ten bucks). But they now have no potable water at the dump station.

BTW, gasoline is more than a buck cheaper per gallon here in eastern NV than the price in western NV.


-Don- Ely, NV

 

[Jackiemac]

We liked Great Basin but the main campground was mostly closed when we were there 16th to 19th June 2019. Flooding I think. There was still a reasonable amount of snow but caves open and we enjoyed those.

 

[DonTom]

We liked Great Basin but the main campground was mostly closed when we were there 16th to 19th June 2019. Flooding I think. There was still a reasonable amount of snow but caves open and we enjoyed those.

I have been to Great Basin Park several times, but all more than 30 or 40 years ago in midsummer on a motorcycle. So I do not remember much of it, and that is why I went back to take a look today.

A strong 5G (IIRC, perhaps was 4G) Verizon signal at the main visitor center, where I took this photo from (I assume is the 13K' Wheeler Peak):

-Don- Bean Flat Rest Area, NV

 

[DonTom]

I am back at Bean Flat, NV and I should be back at Sacramento Pass, NV sometime tomorrow. If the place is full, I will head to Great Basin Park and check out Baker, NV better to see what is there.

This time, I do not need to rush back for VA appointments as I did last time. Last time was mainly just for a smog check in my Class C in Reno and then decided I could spend a few days more east.

This trip is in my Class A and with my motorcycle that I will not unload until I get into the Baker/Great Basin Park or area. I could end up in an RV park and ride into GB NP from there. No firm plans this time.

A lot more hiking trails to check out at Sacremento Pass.

-Don- Bean Flat Rest Area on Hwy 50, NV

 

[Jackiemac]

The park had nice campsites when we visited but closed due to flooding.

 

[DonTom]

The park had nice campsites when we visited but closed due to flooding.

Until the end of May, only one campground is open,

​

Lower Lehman Creek Campground​

Lower Lehman Creek Campground is a small, scenic campground located within Great Basin National Park in Nevada, situated at an elevation of 7,300 feet along the lush riparian area of Lehman Creek. It serves as a primary base for visitors due to its proximity to the Lehman Caves Visitor Center and the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive.

Key Features and Amenities​

• Camping Options: The campground offers 11 campsites, most of which are shaded by white firs, juniper, and pinyon pine. Six of the sites feature large, paved, pull-through parking suitable for RVs and trailers.
• Facilities: Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, grill, and paved parking spur. Vault toilets are available on-site, and trash/recycling collection is provided.
• Water: There is no potable water available at the campground itself. Visitors can fill containers at the nearby Lehman Caves Visitor Center, and the active stream in the campground can be used for filtering water. A dump station is available at the Visitor Center from spring through early fall.
• Reservations: The campground is generally first-come, first-served, particularly during the winter months. However, some sources indicate it may be available by reservation only during peak seasons, so checking current availability is recommended.

​

-Don- Bean Flat, NV

 

[DonTom]

When I got here kinda late today, I was thinking this place could be full. But there was only one other RV and it is in the spot I was at last time. I see they have Starlink also, as I see a "M&L Starlink" as a SSID. Also, a "hidden network".

Now I am at the opposite side, in the same spot as the couple who showed me their Mini Starlink system last time.

I will stay here for a week or so and then head for Baker and Great Basin Park. The place that had no fresh water last time in Ely has it now. So I got a full gas tank, propane tank, tanks dumped and full fresh water tank filled up.

Gasoline is still around a buck cheaper. More than a buck cheaper if you use the 85 octane.

Sure are a lot of very steep hills coming here from Reno. Several summits close to 8,000' in elevation.

7,168' elevation here at Sacramento Pass. But surprising warm even at 2220 hrs local time.

-Don- Sacramento Pass, NV

 

[DonTom]

Today, I am the only person here at Sac Pass, The other RV left this morning.

Here are a few photos of this site:

-Don- Sac Pass, NV

 

[Jackiemac]

Nice!

 

[DonTom]

Nice!

Except for the weather. Yesterday was extremely windy. Yesterday, my ham radio antenna blew down once so then I took it apart. But it was a warm day yesterday even with the heavy wind.

Today a lot less wind but very cold and a little snow! Not sticking, very little snow. Just a little snow flurry. But enough to stop me from going on a hike.

-Don- Sac Pass, NV

-

 

[Jackiemac]

Yuk.

 

[DonTom]

Yuk.

The weather sure changes fast here. It is now sunny and warming up!

-Don- Sac Pass, NV

 

[DonTom]

Very nice day here today. Sunny, clear no wind and in the 60's this morning. I will head out for a hike soon.

I am now here all alone, everybody else left here at Sacramento Pass.

-Don- Sac Pass, NV

 

[RayIN]

The pictures show a very beautiful place. Sometimes it's hard to keep in mind such a beautiful place can quickly become deadly if one doesn't know what they are doing. I'm sure you're enjoying your temporary solitude.
Our traveling days are past, but things such as your post causes us to re-live past ventures; thanks.

 

[DonTom]

The pictures show a very beautiful place. Sometimes it's hard to keep in mind such a beautiful place can quickly become deadly if one doesn't know what they are doing. I'm sure you're enjoying your temporary solitude.
Our traveling days are past, but things such as your post causes us to re-live past ventures; thanks.

Well, I have done countless solo hikes. I always take my emergency stuff, as my Spot Messenger and inReach as I realize the unexpected can happen anywhere anytime.

I just took a few more photos of right here, and after I post this, I am heading out for a hike. Perfect hiking weather today after two extra cold windy days.

I will first hike to the opposite of this rocky hill. There is a nice trail called the "Sac Pass Trail". More trails on the other side of the hill.

Some more photos of right here:

Some other photos from a short walk outside here:

My rig here:

On the very right, my new Starlink System on top of the BBQ grill with the HFT Power Station that I am using right now (no cell service on any system down here). I will bring this stuff inside and recharge the battery after this post. The Starlink only draws around 15 watts average, but very unsteady. But will run for around 24 hours on a full charge.

The pond. Another RV just showed up and there is a guy fishing at this pond right now:

This is all free to use BLM (14 days max, but nobody to enforce it I assume) land. There is garbage collection and a restroom. No water or electricity here for RVs.

-Don- Sac Pass, NV

 

[DonTom]

This was a perfect hiking day, Even at the upper lot, no wind at all and nice temps.

The Sac Pass Trailhead from the main road is not clear, no signs at all. It starts at the road right behind this motorhome. To find the trail, go over the cattleguard and from there go left to the nearest telephone pole seen. Then the trail to the upper lot can clearly be seen as you will then be on it. You can also just stay on the road, they both go to the same place. The upper RV lot, nobody there today.

Here are a few photos of today's hike:

The three campsites at upper level are smaller:

A place for your horses up there:

A sign up there says they do NOT collect trash on top but the outhouse there has a trash can:
No water in john:

My motorhome as seen from half way up the hill:


The mountain to the left has to be Wheeler Peak (2nd tallest mountain in Nevada @ 13.065'
) in Great Basin Park as it is direct south from here, but the drive is southeast and than west.

The trail to the top looks like this:

From there, there are many other trails to explore.

-Don- Sac Pass, NV