By Phyllis Benson
Great Basin National Park in Nevada
Great Basin National Park covers 77,000 acres in east central Nevada and preserves wildlife and natural features of a great water drainage basin. Wheeler Peak, at 13,063 feet, is the highest mountain in the park. About 90,000 people visit the remote park every year.
History
Created in 1986, Great Basin National Park is built on the archaeological heritage of the Fremont Indians and the Lehman Caves, an underground limestone cave formation.
Fremont Indians
The Fremont Indians, dwellers in the Great Basin about 1,000 years ago, left archaeological sites that yield artifacts of their settlements. Their unusual black geometric-pattern pottery is called black-on-gray.
Lehman Caves
Open to visitors since the 1880s, Lehman Caves is a large cavern complex with a half-mile tour of stalactites, stalagmites and more than 300 other geological formations.
Lightscape
The scenic park, distant from man-made lights and air pollution, provides fine stargazing. It offers some of the darkest skies in the country for night viewing.
Wildlife
According to the National Park Service, the park and its neighboring valleys are home to 71 different mammals, 241 bird species and more than 800 plants.
Concerns
The greatest environmental threats to the basin are groundwater pumping near the park, air pollution and invasion of non-native species, such as cheatgrass, that crowd out native plants.
Resources
About the Author:
Phyllis Benson is a professional writer and creative artist. Her 25-year background includes work as an editor, syndicated reporter and feature writer for publications including "Journal Plus," "McClatchy Newspapers" and "Sacramento Union." Benson earned her Bachelor of Science degree at California Polytechnic University.
Photo Credits:
National Park Service, Public Domain
