Caving - Lehman Caves 11/20/21

Emily Hacken
Nov 26, 2021
2 min read

Loved Timpanogos Cave? This is the Nevada version. Great, guided beginner cave with incredible formations. Perfect for those wanting to see if caving is for you.

Directions - Near Baker, Nevada in the Great Basin National Park. Trailhead

Activity -

Lehman Caves - We did the Parachute Shield tour which is approximately 60 minutes long. It travels 0.5 miles through mostly large rooms with steep ramps and smaller passages that connect them. This tour visits the Lodge Room, Inscription Room, and the Grand palace. In 2022, the tours should be longer (Grand Palace and Lodge Room) and the "Wild Tour" (tour with flashlights only) may be available. Lehman Cave Website

Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive (Not available in winter) - a 23.3 mile drive moderately trafficked out and back drive with incredible views.

Hike Bristle Cone Grove Trail (Not available in winter) - 4.5 mile out and back trail through the famous Bristle Cone trees.

Hike Osceola Ditch Interpretive Trail - 2.7 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail

along an old dirt ditch dug into the side of a hill where a gold mine once was. Moderately good views of the valley. Mostly flat trail with rocky sections.

Hike Pole Canyon Trail to Baker Creek Trailhead - 3.9 mile loop heading up rocky and dirt moderate uphill and then loops down. This trail begins at a day-use picnic area, then crosses Baker Creek before following Pole Canyon under the shade of aspen and conifers, occasionally passing through sagebrush meadows. The end of the canyon opens up into meadows and groves of aspen where the trail rises up over a saddle before joining the Timber Creek Trail. This trail can be completed as a loop by following Timber Creek down to the Timber Creek trailhead and then following campground connector trails through Baker and Grey Cliffs Campgrounds and walking the short road back to the Pole Canyon picnic area.

Hike Mountain View Nature Trail - 0.4 mile loop from the cave entrance clockwise behind to the old entrance, beautiful view and through a pioneer cabin, back to the visitors center.

Hike Wheeler Peak (trailhead not available in winter)- 8.2 mile out and back strenuous rocky and dirt hike to the highest peak around.

Hike Alpine Loop (Not available in winter) - 2.7 mile easy loop past two beautiful alpine lakes, Stella and Teresa Lakes, with great views of Wheeler Peak. Begin at the Bristlecone Parking Area, near the Wheeler Peak Campground.

Cost - Cave Tickets (reserve in advance): $12

Gear - Thin T-shirts, thin long-sleeve shirts, fleece, puffy coat, rain jacket, hiking pants, running shoes or boots, 1-2 L water bottles, snacks, small backpack (can't bring backpacks, food or water in the cave)

Sample Itinerary -

Drive from Lehi - 7 am (we did a Bingo game to pass the time - see below)

Arrive Lehman Caves - 1030 am

Short hike or scenic drive

Lunch (picnic tables at Lehman caves - no - Noon

Cave Tour- 1-230pm

Longer hike

Drive home/dinner in Delta (best food on the drive)

Lehman Caves