Ruby Mountains - Lamoille Canyon

LaMoille Canyon location map

On June 24, 1997 I visited Lamoille Canyon Scenic area in the Ruby Mountains.

This is a trailhead area for the Ruby Mountains Wilderness.

Snow capped peaks viewed across the urban sprawl south of Elko. Very pretty drive up the canyon.

Ruby Mountains from SR 227 near Lamoille, Nevada

Lamoille Canyon is the largest valley in the Ruby Mountains, located in the central portion of Elko County in the northeastern section of the state of Nevada. Approximately 12 miles (19 km) in length, it was extensively sculpted by glaciers in previous ice ages.

Lamoille Canyon begins at Liberty Peak at an elevation of 11,032 ft (3,363 m). It quickly descends to a glacial basin now occupied by Lamoille Lake. A nearby granite shelf contains the picturesque Dollar Lakes. Further down the canyon is a large stand of Whitebark pine and the Road's End Trailhead, the high point (8,800 ft (2,700 m)) of Lamoille Canyon Road, which is a National Forest Scenic Byway. This is also the northern terminus of the 38-mile (61 km) Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail, and the start of the much shorter trail to Island Lake.

Road's End is where Lamoille Canyon begins a sweeping turn around the flanks of Thomas Peak, 11,325 ft (3,452 m). The glaciers have deeply carved the canyon, leaving a classic U-shaped cross section and, high on the side of Thomas Peak, four hanging valleys (including Island Lake). The road then passes the Terraces Picnic Area (featuring more glacial remnants) and Verdi Peak. A nearby nature trail exhibits the diverse plant life in the canyon bottom.

Lions Club Camp Lamille lower right - Lamoille Canyon Scenic Drive

The canyon continues to descend to its junction with Thomas Canyon, which enters from the south. At the head of Thomas Canyon is majestic Mount Fitzgerald (11,215 ft (3,418 m)), and at its outlet is the Thomas Canyon Campground. About a mile below the campground, Lamoille Canyon passes through a narrow slot and then drops quickly to its junction with Right Fork Canyon, which also enters from the south. Near this point are Lamoille Falls, Lions Club Camp Lamoille (available for group rental), and the precipitous north face of Mount Gilbert (11,120 ft (3,390 m)).

At Camp Lamoille the canyon has descended to 7,100 ft (2,200 m). In the remaining 3 miles it descends another 1,000 ft (300 m) and exits the range at the Powerhouse Picnic Area, the site of a powerhouse built in 1913 for the Elko-Lamoille Power Company. It burned down in 1971, leaving only the foundation. Nearby are the communities of Lamoille and Spring Creek.

I camped for the night at the Thomas Canyon Campground in the Humboldt-Toiyable National Forest.

Half of the campground was washed away in a 1995 flood and they are just now starting to get it reconstructed. Looks like an all summer "do it when we have time" project.

View from Thomas Canyon Campground - Lamoille Canyon Scenic Drive

On June 25 I drove up to the end of Lamoille Canyon. Very scenic canyon and this time of year numerous seeps and cascades and waterfalls were coming down the canyon walls.

A patch of snow on the road near the end at 8,800 feet. Hiked up the trail about 20 minutes - had to cross country to avoid snow on the trail. Willows were just beginning to bud. A place worth seeing.

Hanging valley and waterfall - Lamoille Canyon Scenic Drive

Lamoille Creek - Lamoille Canyon Scenic Drive showing scouring from 1995 flood

LaMoille Canyon, Ruby Mountains, Nevada

Scenery along Lamoille Canyon Scenic Drive

LaMoille Canyon, Ruby Mountains, Nevada