Ely experiences a semi-arid climate and consistently remains much cooler than southern Nevada. Our symposium dates in October should deliver a very pleasant surface temperature... but it's always wise to be prepared for anything!
The Western Climate Center reports that average October temperatures are a maximum of 65°F and a minimum of 28°F.
Mostly clear, with a low around 22. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunny. High near 53, with temperatures falling to around 43 in the afternoon. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 19. North northwest wind around 5 mph.
Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. North wind 0 to 5 mph.
Mostly clear, with a low around 20. South southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.
Mostly clear, with a low around 22.
Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Isolated snow showers after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 40.
Cave ecosystems are often dependent on organic material carried in by water, which serves as the primary food source for the environment. In arid climates with minimal surface rainfall, the input of organic matter and nutrients into caves becomes limited, affecting the overall energy flow within these environments. The intricate interplay between surface conditions and cave biota presents unique management challenges for modern cave biologists. Image courtesy of Dr. Jean K. Krejca, Zara Environmental LLC.
The official event schedule for the 2025 NCKMS has now been updated. Please check our schedule page or download a PDF to your mobile device.
Sitting at Nevada's eastern edge of the "Loneliest Road in America," Ely is a remote mountain town where history, art and outdoor adventure thrive. Ely was founded in the 1870s as a stagecoach stop and trading post called Murray Station, but it would become one of the country's major copper mining regions.
The Nevada Northern Railway arrived in 1906. Now, this well preserved short-line railway draws visitors from all over the world to ride on its queens of steam and historic diesel engines.
Ely, Nevada's White Pine Public Museum features the skeletal model of a cave bear (Arctodus simus) that was discovered in a nearby cave in 1982. This extinct species inhabited North America during the Pleistocene epoch from about 1.8 Mya until 11,000 years ago. It was the most common early North American bear and is considered one of the largest known terrestrial mammalian carnivores.
The museum's collections also include an extensive mineral display of copper ore samples, petrified woods, and fossils of ancient marine life.
WCC Ball Cap
Wearing a ball cap? Oh, that's a whole vibe. It's like saying, "I'm strong, but I'm not here for your speleo-approval." It's the kind of quiet power that doesn't scream for attention, but when it walks into the room, everyone knows it's the real deal. No need to flaunt or flex when you've got that kind of effortless strength, right?
Yet, while being grounded and focused on what truly matters, you can still shine at your next grotto meeting by declaring your subtle support of the Western Cave Conservancy!
According to the National Park Night Sky Team, Great Basin National Park is one of the best parks for viewing star-filled night skies!