Ruby Mountains Wilderness

Ruby Mountains Wilderness


	Courtesy of EatStayPlay.com

The United States Congress designated the Ruby Mountains Wilderness in 1989 and it now has a total of 90,000 acres. The entire wilderness is in Nevada.

Glaciers scoured the northern end of the Ruby Mountains during the last ice age, creating the U-shaped Lamoille Canyon, also known as Nevada's Yosemite. Hanging valleys, towering summits, and year-round snowfields characterize this Wilderness.

South of Lamoille you'll encounter seven miles of lake basins and meadows before the terrain south of Furlong Lake turns into a narrow, grassy ridge that runs 20 miles to the Overland Lake basin. The Rubies contain 10 peaks above 10,000 feet (including Ruby Dome at 11,387 feet) and more than two dozen alpine lakes, rare treats in this arid state. You'll also find here one of the largest herds of mule deer in Nevada, numbers of mountain goats and bighorn sheep, and streams teeming with trout (including the threatened Lahontan cutthroat). Himalayan snow cocks and Hungarian partridges have been introduced and are doing well. Prehistoric hunting blinds and once-inhabited caves on high ridges indicate that this area has been in use for a long time.

The Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail crawls along the top of this Wilderness for 40 miles. Shorter side trails climb to the crest from several trailheads.

Facilities: No facilities are provided at Ruby Mountains Wilderness.

Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted for Ruby Mountains Wilderness.

Best Time To Visit: Ruby Mountains Wilderness is open year round.

Fees: No fees are charged.

Accessibility: Unknown

Rules: Dispose of waste properly. Leave what you find. Minimize campfire impacts. Respect wildlife. Be considerate of other visitors. All motorized vehicles are prohibited.

Directions: Ruby Mountains Wilderness encompasses 90,000 acres and is southeast of Elko.

Attractions Near
Ruby Mountains Wilderness

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

Address

Jarbidge/Ruby Mts Ranger District-Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

140 Pacific Ave

Wells, Nevada 89835

Phone
General: (775) 752-3357
Toll Free: (800) 764-3359

Website

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