Wheeler Peak

I like a challenge. The elevation difference between Baker, Nevada (5300 feet) and Wheeler Peak (13,063 feet) in Great Basin National Park is nearly 8000 feet. How could I resist? The plan: ride my bike from Baker to the Wheeler Peak trailhead, change into hiking shoes and climb to the top.

Everything actually went according to plan, despite a pretty terrifying late afternoon thunderstorm on an exposed 12,000-foot high ridge. This is the view up the road from Baker near the beginning of the biking portion; the high, treeless peak on the left is Jeff Davis Peak which is blocking the view of Wheeler just behind to the west. Note the tall thunderhead building up in the background - this was a warning of things to come.
This sign tells the story for the biking portion of this adventure.
Almost done with the biking portion at this point. It's pretty amazing to go from hot sagebrush-covered flats to cool evergreen forests near timberline within 10 miles of bike riding. Jeff Davis Peak is the rounded knoll on the left, Wheeler is the high point on the right. Still 3000 feet of hiking to do from here.

Stella Lake, a glacial cirque, along the Wheeler Peak Trail.
On the summit ridge things quickly became dark and downright frightening as lightning started to flash all around. The temperature plummeted, and at one point I could feel "sparks" on the bottoms of my feet as electricity was starting to arc through my rubber-soled boots into the ground! I was able to huddle down against what was left of an old stone shelter and wait out the passing storm.
The sun finally came out and I was able to make the final ascent to the Peak. Behind me is the west face of Jeff Davis.
View to the south at the north face of Baker Peak.
On the trip home, this pioneer cabin near Garrison cought my eye. The final numbers: 16 mile/5500'-net-gain bike ride; 3.75-mile 3000'-hike. Round-trip time was about 6 hours.