and I carried 19 and 17 pounds respectively, exclusive of camera equipment. Our down sleeping bags weigh about five pounds each; air mattress two pounds; long woolen underwear for sleeping, one pound; food for two days, two pounds; cooking can, cup, spoon and canteen, one pound; wool sweater and nylon parka, 10 ounces; first aid and toiletries, eight ounces; plastic shelter, two pounds; knapsack, three pounds.
The trail climbed gently through a forest of aspen, the sun sifting through yellow-green foliage to white bark and to red columbines luxuriating underneath. Butterflies hovered over musky-smelling white yarrow and lavender shooting stars. A wall of rock slabs piled in layers looked as if it might come tumbling down if you pulled out one of the lower pebbles.
Hike leader Dick Kenyon set a slow pace at first to allow us time to get used to our packs, but the rise in elevation was so gradual and the trail in such good condition that fast hikers were allowed to forge ahead. Desert Peakers usually stay behind the leader if there is any question about the route. In cases like this, however, where the route is known to be uncomplicated by forking or disappearing trails, hikers who prefer a fast pace are allowed to go on-provided the leader feels they are capable of looking after themselves. Some hikers keep their eye
Nevada's First National Park Soon May Be A Reality
By WELDON HEALD

In April the National Parks Advisory Board recommended to Secretary of the Interior Seaton that eight new areas be included in the National Park System. Among ,them was the Wheeler Peak-Lehman Caves region of Nevada's Snake Range. The reasons given in favor of the Wheeler area: "...its recognized scientific values and ...findings that have determined it to be representative of the numerous Great Basin mountain ranges and as such of national significance."
This is a major advance for the proposed Great Basin National Park, a project that has state-wide backing in Nevada and is warmly endorsed by several national conservation organizations. However, some opposition has been expressed by stockmen, sportsmen and, tacitly, by the Forest Service, which recently countered the park proposal with a Wheeler Peak Scenic Area. But the protests are largely due to misunderstanding and in most cases differences have been settled satisfactorily.
A bill for the creation of the park is being written in cooperation with the Interior Department and will be introduced in Congress by the Nevada delegation. It provides an area of about 145 square miles and includes Lehman Caves, Wheeler Peak and the Matthes Glacier. Within the boundaries the terrain stretches from the desert valleys, with their antelope herds, to the arctic-alplne zone, above timberline. In fact, one authority emphatically stated that "The Wheeler Peak area has a greater variety of outstanding scenery than any existing national park."
However, the preservation of this magnificent piece of original America is far from accomplished. Those who are concerned with our rapidly dwindling scenic resources can help by joining the Great Basin Range National Park Association. The annual dues are $3, sent to Glenn C. Osborne, Treasurer, Garrison, Utah.
Lehman Caves Map
 
Page Index Prev Page 8 Next Issue Index