Day Hikes

There are a wide variety of trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging, high-altitude hikes. Higher-elevation areas may be closed by snow from late October until mid-June, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August. Avoid exposed ridges during lightning storms. Hikers should be aware that they may be sharing trails with rattlesnakes, which have the right of way.

Because of loose rock and steep grades on some trails, sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support are recommended. Hikers also need to carry plenty of water -- usually 1 gallon per person per day. Park rangers emphasize that although the rocky alpine sections of the park at its highest elevations may appear rugged, they are quite fragile. Plants grow slowly, and even under the best of conditions, their survival rate is low. Therefore, hikers should be diligent about staying on trails and having the least possible impact on the land.

Shorter Trails

Alpine Lakes Loop -- With an elevation gain of only about 600 feet, this is a relatively easy and accessible trail, popular with families. However, keep in mind that those not accustomed to the 10,000-foot elevation may find any activity tiring. The loop can be hiked in either direction, passing through forests of spruce and pine trees, as well as meadows dotted with wildflowers. Teresa and Stella lakes are shallow and clear, and the reflections of snowcapped peaks often appear in their smooth surfaces. 2.7 miles RT. Easy to moderate. Access: Just north of Wheeler Peak Campground.

Bristlecone and Glacier Trail -- Those who want a relatively easy hike through a unique forest will enjoy this trail. It goes through a grove of bristlecone pines and then on to a view of an ice field and a rock glacier -- a rock-covered permanent mass of ice moving very slowly downhill -- which rangers say is the only glacier in Nevada. Distance to the bristlecone pine grove is 1.4 miles one-way, and the ice field is another .9 mile. During summer, rangers sometimes lead hikes to the bristlecone grove. Elevation is about 10,000 feet. 4.6 miles RT. Easy to moderate. Access: Near Wheeler Peak parking area.

Lexington Arch -- This six-story arch is a bit out of the way, but the splendidly framed views through its 75-by-120-foot opening prove an ample reward. After driving into Utah and then following a dirt road, you will find yourself hiking a sunny path that takes you past wildflowers, mountain mahogany, fir, and pinyon. The easy-to-follow trail ends at the arch, which is unique because it has been carved from limestone, not sandstone, as is usually the case in the American West. Some geologists believe it is not really an arch, but a natural bridge (arches are formed by wind, rain, and ice, while bridges are created by the eroding force of streams and rivers). Leashed dogs are permitted on the trail. 3.4 miles round trip. Moderate. Access: About 18 miles south of the visitor center off a dirt road; ask park rangers for specific directions and current road conditions.

Mountain View Nature Trail -- This is a self-guided loop through a pleasant forest, with a brochure available at the visitor center that provides information on plants, animals, and geology. The short trail is popular among those with 20 to 30 minutes to wait before their guided cave tour. .3 mile RT. Easy. Access: Outside the visitor center.

Longer Trails

Baker Lake Trail -- Following Baker Creek, this trail leads to Baker Lake, climbing from about 2,600 feet in elevation to over 10,500 feet. It passes through meadows and forests, past pinyon, juniper, aspen, and pine, changing with the elevation. It's a good choice for wildlife viewing; you are likely to see mule deer, rock squirrels, and a variety of birds. Anglers often stop to catch a trout in the creek, and the trail provides excellent views of the surrounding peaks. Along the way, you pass the remains of a miner's log cabin before reaching Baker Lake. 12 miles round trip. Moderate to strenuous. Access: End of Baker Creek Rd.

Johnson Lake Trail -- This rugged trail follows an old mining road, with an elevation gain of about 2,400 feet, before arriving at Johnson Lake. The lake bears the name of Alfred Johnson, who mined and processed tungsten here in the early part of the 20th century. Rangers warn hikes to stay out of mine structures, which are dangerous. The Johnson Lake Trail can be combined with the Baker Creek Trail to produce a loop, starting with the Baker Creek Trail and descending along Snake Creek. Parts of this loop are difficult to follow, and topographical maps and good mountaineering skills are needed. 7.4 miles round trip. Moderate to strenuous. Access: End of Snake Creek Rd.

Lehman Creek Trail -- Although there is a 2,050-foot elevation change along this trail, it's an easy downhill walk for those who start at Wheeler Peak Campground and have a vehicle waiting at Lehman Creek Campground. The trail mostly follows a bluff above Lehman Creek, crossing through several separate life zones and offering views of a wide variety of plant life, from sagebrush and cactus to forests of aspen, spruce, pinyon, and tall Douglas fir. Along the way, you will also see mountain mahogany and, if your timing's right, an abundance of wildflowers. 3.4 miles one-way. Easy. Access: Connects Upper Lehman Creek Campground with Wheeler Peak Campground.

Wheeler Peak Summit Trail -- Those looking for stupendous panoramic vistas should consider this strenuous trail, which begins as a relatively gentle walk through a forest of pine and becomes considerably steeper as it reaches the tree line. Eventually, you find yourself on the summit, at an elevation of 13,063 feet, the second-highest point in Nevada. During its 2,900-foot ascent, the trail passes through several plant communities, including forests of Englemann spruce and pine, before climbing above the tree line. This is generally an all-day hike, and rangers advise starting early so you're off the summit by the time afternoon thunderstorms appear. Hikers are also advised to carry plenty of drinking water, extra clothing, and rain gear. 8.2 miles RT (from campground). Strenuous. Access: Summit Trailhead, about .5 mile from Wheeler Peak Campground, or from the campground on Alpine Lakes Loop Trail, which intersects with Summit Trail.