Near The Bristlecone Grove/Glacier Trail
Mountains in Great Basin National Park
Near The Bristlecone Grove/Glacier Trail
Instead of dirt trails, they have laid a mat like material on the trail to make it accessible for all to enjoy. Here the trail passes through some birch trees.
Near The Bristlecone Grove/Glacier Trail
Wheeler Peak and aspens
Near The Bristlecone Grove/Glacier Trail
The trail crosses Lehman Creek right after leaving the parking lot.
Near The Bristlecone Grove/Glacier Trail
Checking out Nevada's only Glacier, beneath Wheeler Peak.

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

The Bristlecone Grove/Glacier Trail

5.0 (22 Ratings)
A superb route passing through a Bristlecone Pine grove on the way to a rock glacier.
4.7
mi
Distance
1,215
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
Fall ColorsViewsWildflowersWildlife
Access Issues
Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is closed during the winter; usually November through May.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
4.73mi
Distance
1,215ft
Elevation Gain
1,215ft
Elevation Loss
20%
Max Grade
11,052ft
High Point
9,945ft
Low Point
Path Type
There and Back
Description
Follow the well signed Alpine Lakes Loop Trail south, crossing Lehman Creek. Instead of turning to finish the loop, turn onto the Bristlecone Grove Trail. The intersection is located about 1/2 mile into the loop, and the trail will be on your left. Follow that trail to the Bristlecone Pine Grove. There is a small interpretive loop trail through the grove that has great information plaques. After the grove, continue along the Glacier Trail until it comes to the foot of the rock glacier.This trail will take you to the foot of the glacier. The trailhead for this route is located at the end of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. The trail begins at an elevation of 9,800 feet and climbs another 1,100 feet. Use caution around the toe of the glacier, as the boulders may not be stable, and small rockslides are common from the cliffs above.Great Basin National Park is home to the only glacier in Nevada, and one of the southernmost glaciers in the United States. The Wheeler Peak Glacier sits at the base of Wheeler Peak, in a protected cirque around 11,500 feet in elevation. The glacier measures 300 feet long and 400 feet wide. Exact depth is unknown.
History & Background
The Bristlecone Pine forest here used to hold "Prometheus", the oldest living tree on earth, but an unsuspecting scientist cut it down in 1964.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Jeremy Small