Take It to the Lake
The Ely Outdoor Enthusiasts host a great array of events throughout the year aimed at people getting outside and getting healthy. In September, their flagship event is held, Take It to the Lake. A half marathon crosses over Success Summit near Ely, Nevada, with beautiful fall foliage surrounding the course. A 10k starts at the top of Success Summit, with almost the whole route downhill. And a kids’ Fun Run is just 1 mile long and follows along the edge of Cave Lake. Those who finish the race with a plunge in Cave Lake get a special surprise.
The race is also a great opportunity to explore Cave Lake State Park. The park features a beautiful lake with great fishing, paddling, and photography. A trail system includes over 15 miles of trails, some of which is considered the best singletrack mountain biking in the area. Two campgrounds provide a place to hang out longer. Picnic areas are found along the lakeside.
Great Basin National Park Astronomy Festival
Ready to look at some of the darkest night skies in the country? Head to Great Basin National Park September 26-28 for the annual Astronomy Festival. Held near the new moon, the dark skies will persist through the night, giving you even more opportunities to gaze into the heavens.
The Festival includes evening talks and a ranger talent show, workshops, kids activities, daytime solar telescope viewing, and more. This Festival draws in a huge crowd, so arrive early for events. Check out the park’s website as the time gets closer for a schedule of events. Volunteers bring amazing telescopes, and often there are 15-20 telescopes to peek through at various globular star clusters, nebula, planets, and more!
Public Lands Day
Public Lands Day is always held the last Saturday of September. In White Pine County, the location rotates through the land management agencies, and this year will be held at Great Basin National Park on September 28. Help remove encroaching pinyon pines that are growing in areas where they were removed 10 years ago or help paint some trail signs near the Lehman Caves Visitor Center. Activities will take place from 9 am to 2 pm. And if you help out, you’ll be right on site to partake in the Astronomy Festival!
— Gretchen Baker
