Alpine Lakes & Desert Views

A Day in Great Basin National Park

Related campgrounds: Baker Creek, Cathedral Gorge, Grey Cliffs, Wheeler Peak, Upper Lehman Creek

Morning coffee by a quiet creek leads to an alpine hike in Great Basin National Park. We explore the Alpine Lakes Loop, visit Stella and Teresa Lakes, meet a mother deer and her fawn, then descend with sweeping desert views far below. We wake up to a quiet morning at our campground in Great Basin National Park, easing into the day with fresh coffee and time spent beside a peaceful creek. It’s an unhurried start, setting the tone before heading out to explore the higher elevations of the park. From there, we drive toward Wheeler Peak and set out on the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail, hiking through cool mountain air and dramatic scenery. Along the trail, we visit Stella Lake and Teresa Lake, where a surprise encounter with a mother deer and her baby adds a memorable moment to the hike. Afterward, we make our way back down the mountain, lingering on the drive as the landscape shifts. Glimpses of the desert floor far below offer striking contrast to the alpine terrain above, prompting plenty of quiet awe along the way. The video ends here, before returning to camp to reset for the next adventure — a visit to Lehman Caves — continuing our exploration of Great Basin National Park in the following episode.