PRINT: Climbing in Wheeler Peak, Eastern Nevada

Wheeler Peak

Nevada > Eastern Nevada

Description

Located in Great Basin National Park, Wheeler Peak is Nevada's second highest peak and the high point of the park.

There is an easy trail to the summit, which passes through aspen and ancient bristlecone pine forests.

Wheeler's steep East Face has some existing climbs.

Great Basin National Park is Nevada's only National Park and is still fairly primitive.

Other climbing exists in the park, but I have no information at this time.

While visiting Great Basin National Park, Lehman Caves is well worth a visit.

Getting There

Great Basin National Park is located in eastern Nevada, close to the Utah border. It is about 60 miles southeast of Ely, NV.

From US Highway 6/50, take 487, five miles south to Baker. From the dinky town of Baker, take 488, east for six miles to the park entrance.

Routes from Left to Right

5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b WI3 M6 Steep Snow X 5 ● The NE Couloir, AKA The Wheel Deal Trad, Mixed, Ice, Snow, Alpine 8 pitches
V2 5+ M6 X 1 ● Hit by a Wheeler aka the Marvell… Trad, Boulder, Mixed, Alpine 8 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c A3+ 0 ● Stella by Starlight Trad, Aid, Alpine

● The NE Couloir, AKA The Whe…

5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b WI3 M6 Steep Snow X Trad, Mixed, Ice, Snow, Alpine 8 pitches

● Hit by a Wheeler aka the Ma…

V2 5+ M6 X Trad, Boulder, Mixed, Alpine 8 pitches

● Stella by Starlight

5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c A3+ Trad, Aid, Alpine

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Wheeler Peak, Great Basin NP

May 2011 trip report: http://rjohnasay.blogspot.com/2011/07/skiing-wheeler-peak-jeff-davis.html

April 2012 trip report<br>
http://rjohnasay.blogspot.com/2013/04/great-basin-np-wheeler-peak.html

April 2012 trip report http://rjohnasay.blogspot.com/2013/04/great-basin-np-wheeler-peak.html

Some of these shields. Photo credit: Jaclyn Paik.

Great Basin's Lehman Caves are home to interesting, uncommon shield formations and provide a good rest day diversion. Cave tours are 60 & 90 minutes. Photo credit: Jaclyn Paik, 10.

Wheeler Peak.

Wheeler Peak. The trail goes up the right shoulder. Photo by Blitzo.

Wheeler Peak. Photo by Blitzo.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Andrew Gram
Salt Lake City, UT

The skiing on Wheeler Peak and Jeff Davis in late spring is fantastic. Everything from easy fairly low angle corn to steep chutes. Dec 30, 2008

Jon OBrien
Nevada

what is the typical ideal window? what do you mean by "late spring"?
thanks!

jon Jan 28, 2013

John Robinson
Elk Grove, ca

I recently visited Great Basin and a prominent spire got my attention at the base of Wheeler Peak. The spire is visible from the road and looks like it is begging to be climbed. So I went to the visitors center and found that it had been climbed and is called Solomon's Arrow. The person at the desk also gave me a copy of the info they have on climbing in the Park. If anyone wants the topos included in this guide, PM me and we'll arrange sending (email johnr9q@yahoo.com). Following is information from the guide: " While most of the park has been explored by climbers, climbing is not a very popular activity among visitors to the park. The main reasons for the lack of climbing activity are that the rock tends to be loose and/or brittle, protection is usually marginal or non-existent, and the alpine routes, in particular, are very objectively hazardous. Avalanches are common in the winter and spring. Climbers on the rock faces and ice couloirs of the Wheeler Peak Cirque and other high mountain areas in the park have reported massive rock fall at all hours of the day and night, in every season of the year." etc May 18, 2014

Roy Suggett

Check out the new (old) route done by the old school hard ass... it is difficult to find a line that has not been done before. Kudos to Brent for putting it up on site! Jun 26, 2014