USA Pole Canyon Trail

The area between the Sierra Nevada in California and the Rocky Mountains is the Great Basin. It contains many smaller basins that alternate with mountain ranges, all in a north-south direction. The area has no outlet to the sea; rivers and streams drain into shallow salt lakes, marshes and mud flats. It stretches across almost all of Nevada and into four other states. The Great Basin National Park in eastern Nevada protects part of this area, the South Snake Range.

At the end of April the Scenic Drive to the summit was is still closed due to snow. But the gravel/earth road up to Baker Creek was clear. About halfway up, at the Grey Cliffs, I took a walk across the creek and through the forest. To my surprise, cacti grow here under pine trees. In open areas I discovered various wildflowers.