Bryan Petrtyl

Lehman Creek

Dehydration
It is easy to become dehydrated when hiking in the dry desert air. Carry plenty of water and drink it! 

Note:  All surface water should be chemically treated, boiled, or passed through a filter capable of eliminating harmful microbes and parasites, such as giardia, before drinking.

Rob Ewing

Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive

Driving
Driving conditions in the park can be hazardous. Please obey the posted speed limits. Use lower gears on long downhill sections to prevent overheated breaks. Use of seatbelts is required in both Nevada and the park. Please stop only at pullouts. Watch for wildlife (especially deer on the Scenic Drive and marmots on the Baker Creek Road) and pedestrians. Congestion in the visitor center parking areas can lead to accidents.
The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive beyond Upper Lehman Campground is closed to large vehicles in excess of 24 feet and trailers in excess of 24 feet in length.

Rob Ewing

Wheeler Peak Summit; 13,063 ft elevation.

Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is a condition brought on by high elevations often in conjunction with strenuous activity. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, nausea, incoherent speech, and headache. The cure is to descend immediately. Altitude sickness can be life threatening. To avoid altitude sickness, ascend slowly, eat lightly and frequently, and drink plenty of water.

Bryan Petrtyl

Jeff Davis Peak from Lehman Creek Trail

Lightning
Lightning injures more people every year than wildlife. Be on the lookout for fast moving dark clouds and the sound of thunder. Move away from exposed ridges and summits. Do not take cover under trees when lightning is eminent. In open areas, crouch low to the ground. Avoid being the tallest object and don’t be around other tall objects (i.e. lone trees) when lightning is eminent. 

Rob Ewing

Wheeler Peak in October

Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a serious condition in which a person’s body temperature is lowered. It can occur at temperatures well above freezing. Avoid hypothermia by wearing appropriate, layered clothing. Do not wear cotton clothing as it is very cold when wet. Carry extra clothes, drink plenty of fluids, and stay dry. Signs of hypothermia include uncontrolled shivering and slurred speech. Drowsiness, lack of interest, and incoherent speech follow. If someone shows signs of hypothermia, warm the individual slowly, replace wet clothes with dry ones and give the person warm liquids without caffeine.

NPS Resource Management

Avalanche chute on South Fork

Avalanche Danger
Hikers should recognize and avoid areas threatened by avalanches. Ridgelines are generally much safer to travel on than open faces or valleys. Areas with large, healthy trees are less likely to avalanche than barren slopes.

Rob Ewing

Abandoned mine

Abandoned Mines
Abandoned mines are common in the park and the surrounding region. They can be extremely dangerous. Shafts and tunnels are unstable; do not enter them. Great Basin National Park is currently working to make abandoned mine lands safer.

NPS Resource Management Photo

Baker Lake

Backcountry Hiking, Camping, Skiing
Planning to spend one or more nights in the backcountry? Please register at a visitor center as a safety precaution.

NPS Resource Management

Yellow-bellied Rock Marmots

Wildlife
Wildlife are not tame! Do not feed any animals (including chipmunks or squirrels). Observe wildlife at a safe distance and never approach them.

Tod Williams

Great Basin Rattlesnake

Rattlesnakes are rather timid and stay camouflaged in sagebrush and rocky ledges. The greatest potential risk occurs when gathering wood, reaching into brush, or on rocky ledges. Stepping on a snake is a potential hazard, and is one reason you should stay on maintained trails where snakes are easiest to see.

NPS Resource Management

Mountain lion

Mountain lions live in Great Basin National Park.  However, sighting this secretive animal is rare. Mountain lions try to avoid confrontation. If you do meet one, stay calm, do not run, and give it a way to escape. Hold your ground, face the lion and back away slowly, raising your arms to make yourself appear larger. If the lion acts aggressively wave your arms, make loud noises, and throw objects at it. If attacked, fight back! If you see or encounter a mountain lion, please report it at any visitor center.

Rob Ewing

Strawberry Creek primitive campsite

Campfires
Campfires are permitted in fire rings and barbecue grills only. Campfires must be attended at all times, and must be completely out before leaving the area. Exercise caution when using gas stoves, charcoal grills, and cigarettes. No open fires are allowed above 10,000 feet.

Dead and down wood can be gathered and used for firewood, with the exception of Bristlecone pine wood or any type of wood found above 10,000 feet. Chain saws are not permitted anywhere in the park.

Loren Reinhold

A sudden summer storm

Electrical Storms
Electrical storms are common in the summer months, with frequent quick changes in the weather. Immediately descend to lower elevations if threatening clouds begin to build.  During storms, winds at ridgelines above 10,000 feet are often 30-60 miles per hour.

Loren Reinhold

Talus slope

Talus Slopes
Talus slopes are common in the park above tree-line. Use caution when hiking in areas such as the Wheeler Peak, Bristlecone Pine, and Glacier Cirque trails. Wear proper footgear that provides ankle support and protects against sharp rocks. Don't be deceived by rocks that appear stable.

Loren Reinhold

High elevations in Great Basin National Park

Sun Exposure
Sunburn is a common problem when hiking at high elevations. The atmosphere is thin and does not filter the sun's rays, so people burn quickly. Wear a hat and sunscreen. Excessive sun exposure, combined with high temperatures, can cause heat stroke.