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.
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