Vikingman

Ashley improved her time by 18min...I improved my time by 8min...Hopefully next year we can both really train.

Great Basin National Park

While at this park a ranger said to us, "You two are the poster children of the National Parks". Ashley later said that was one of the best compliments she has ever received...I agree. Why did we go to Great Basin National Park? First, why not. Second, for an adventure. Third their slogan is "half the park is after dark", and fourth, there is a thirteen thousand foot peak and we both have never climbed a thirteen'er.

The first day we did the alpine lake loop trail and camped at wheeler peak campground at 10,000ft. Then woke up early the next morning to go on a 14 mile hike starting at 8,000ft to Baker Lake than over an 11,200 ft pass to Johnson Lake and back. It was an amazing hike and the crazy thing is we only saw 2 people on the entire hike and only at the very end.

 Baker Lake

 The pass.

 We saw these flowers everywhere in the park.

Following the cairns to the top. 

  11,200ft

Johnson Lake was the prettiest of the lakes and I was getting really hot from the hike so I decided to take a dip. Sadly, Ashley did not join me. 

The climb down into Johnson lake was very steep as you can see. 

 We found out that Johnson lake used to be a mining town.

This picture is for Jace and  Lindsey. 

 Half the park is after dark! I should work on my night photos. 


Wheeler Peak....13,065ft.

 We started the hike just short of 10,000ft and the first three miles were super gradual. Then it was all straight up from there.

 

The Top.  

Lehman Caves...the coolest most decorated cave I have ever been in.

Every evening this guy would show up in the meadow next to our camp. 

Trailside Loop and Skills Park

August was a crazy month for the Thompson family. I graduated from college, studied for boards, applied for jobs, had a week long family reunion, went to Great Basin National park, got a job, my grandma passed away, and I spoke at her funeral. I am unsure how Ashley felt about the month but I know I went through every emotion possible. It was awesome, sad, completely crazy, and I would do it all over again, it was amazing. Ashley is unable to speak for herself due to the fact she is in Paraguay for Operation Smile but I assume she would be on the same page. But back to the post.....We were able to fit some mountain biking into this craziness including the Trailside Loop and Skills Park up at park city which I highly recommend. Here are just a few pictures we took.