Let’s get one thing out of the way: We are by no means the authoritative voice or experts on Nevada’s Ruby Mountains. Heck—we’ve never even made it to the lakes you can backpack to in the summer (more on that later…)
All we know is that whenever we mention the Ruby Mountains to anyone who doesn’t live in Northern Nevada, we’re usually met with a blank stare. That, or someone simply asking, “there are mountains in Northern Nevada?” (Fun Fact: With 314 mountain ranges, Nevada actually has more mountains ranges than any other US state!)
Yes—there are mountains in Northern Nevada, and they’re arguably as scenic as America’s “famous” mountains…but you just don’t have all the crowds.
Imagine Glacier National Park without any people; Yosemite without any buses; or maybe hiking Grand Teton National Park without any tourists or tour groups. That’s the kind of beauty we’re talking about—but there’s hardly anyone there.
We recently spent time in the Ruby Mountains on one of our cross country road trips, and took a drive to the top of Lamoille Canyon for a short family hike with the kids.
Just 30 minutes from the Elko, Nevada, (and the closest Interstate, I-80), Lamoille Canyon is the main access point for most adventures in the Ruby Mountains.
The road narrows on the winding drive in (the 12-mile drive is actually known as the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway), and if you visit in late Spring to early Summer, you’re treated to waterfalls of melting snow cascading down both sides of the road!
Lamoille Creek flows wild through the canyon, and creates a scene that reminds us of Scotland, or maybe the South Island of New Zealand.
There are a couple of hikes on the drive up the canyon, but we followed the road all the way to Road’s End, which at an elevation of 8,800 feet is the jumping off point for the Ruby Crest Trail—a 43-mile, multi-day hike that passes by multiple alpine lakes and tops out at 11,000 feet. (There are 25+ lakes in the National Forest area surrounding the Ruby Mountains).
Since we were hiking the Ruby Mountains with kids (and had dinner plans with a friend), we only climbed about a mile up the trail before turning back around (the closest lake, Lamoille Lake, is 2 miles, one-way).
Even that amount was plenty, however, to be able to appreciate the area’s beauty and cross a few creeks, get sweeping views down the canyon, and play in a couple of lingering snow patches still hiding out in the shade (we hiked mid-June, although snow can stick around up top through July).
In winter, the Ruby Mountains receive over 300 inches of dry, fluffy snow (they’re one of Nevada’s wettest mountain ranges), which have made them a growing dream destination for groups of adventurous heli-skiers. There are even luxurious yurts and lodges for a fancy backcountry escape.
Have you ever visited the Ruby Mountains? Be sure to check them out when in Northern Nevada!
