Sky Forest Trail (ADA) - Great Basin National Park

Overview

Wed

63° | 48°

Thu

66° | 47°

Fri

69° | 51°

Sat

69° | 52°

Sun

71° | 51°

( Rated 4.0 / 1 Ratings )

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RATING: Easy Hike

LENGTH: 1+ hours (0.4 mile)

SEASON: Summer, Fall

GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear

WATER: None, bring all you need.

Wed

63° | 48°

Thu

66° | 47°

Fri

69° | 51°

Sat

69° | 52°

Sun

71° | 51°

The junction to head to the loop.

Located right at the end of the paved Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive (around 10,000 feet in elevation), the Sky Island Forest Trail is one of the most accessible and peaceful ways to experience the high alpine country.

This 0.4-mile loop weaves through a dense subalpine forest of limber pine, white fir, and quaking aspens. Because it uses a combination of smooth, heavy-duty rubber matting and raised wooden boardwalks over trickling streams, the trail is fully ADA-accessible with virtually zero elevation gain—making it ideal for wheelchairs, strollers, or anyone needing an easy walk at high altitude.

Along the path, interpretive signs break down what makes a "Sky Island"- an isolated mountain refuge surrounded by an ocean of desert below - and point out peak views through the trees, alpine wildflowers, and the unique ecology of the Snake Range.

Note on Hiking at Elevation: This is a great choice for those looking for an easy, short hike, but also for those just coming to the area from lower elevations to get a sense of what hiking is like at over 10,000'. Hiking at high elevation can, literally, take your breath away! Take it slow, pack extra water, and keep an eye out for sudden afternoon mountain thunderstorms.

Wheeler Peak just poking above the trees.

Getting There

The trailhead is the Bristlecone Trailhead at the end of the Scenic Drive in Great Basin National Park. To get there, from downtown Baker, Nevada, head west on Lehman Cave Road (signed for Great Basin National Park) for about 4.8 miles, where you will turn right to follow the Scenic Drive up past the Lehman Creek campgrounds. This junction is right after entering Great Basin National Park.

Follow the scenic drive to its end in about 12 miles. Just before the Wheeler Peak Campground, there is a large parking area on the left that is the trailhead.

Parking Note: The trailhead is the start of several trails and also in a very scenic spot. It gets BUSY and can fill up early in the day. I would recommend an early start if visiting on a weekend or holiday.

Seasonal Note: The road to the trailhead is closed in the winter just above Upper Lehman Creek Campground. It is open to vehicles typically from late May or early June through late October depending on snowfall. Some people ski or snowshoe the road in the winter.

Love forest walking on the Sky Forest Trail

Route Description

From the parking area, cross the scenic drive to the trailhead across the road. It has a large sign and is just before entering the campground.

Follow the trail just a few minutes to a junction. Go left at the junction as the path goes a short distance and splits for a loop. Either direction for the loop works, and then it is a short walk back on the approach trail to the trailhead.