Lost Lake is situated on a high rocky shelf at the end of Rattlesnake Canyon. Part 2 Supplement of this site suggests ways of possibly reaching this difficult to access lake on foot. However, the most direct and only sure way to Lost Lake is by horseback as provided by outfitter Bill Gibson of Elko Guide Service.

© Lost Lake

Ruby Crest Ranch is located near the South Fork Reservoir. Take the Lamoille Highway, SR 227, from Elko to the junction of SR 228 at Spring Creek. Turn right at the stop light and continue for 5.5 miles to the turnoff to the South Fork Recreation Area. Turn right for about two miles to Hamilton Stage Road and again turn right. The road will connect with Meadow View Drive. Merge left on Meadow View until the road makes another right turn on Hamilton Stage Road. Proceed to the ranch on the left.

© Cabin at Gennette Creek Canyon

The ride will start either from Bill Gibson's cabin in Gennette Creek Canyon, or a mile or so below the cabin, and proceed about six miles up the canyon. Except for the final half mile of trail, the trail is gradual and makes its way through shady aspen trees. After taking the horses as far as they can go, the final half mile is a straight up steep and demanding climb, no trail, through rocky terrain to the ridge separating Gennette Creek and Rattlesnake canyons.

Candice, Erin, Stephany and Bill © Far as the Horses can Go

© View Towards the Ridge Above Lake © Snow Banks at the Top

After a fairly hard 45 minute climb through rocks with the usual loose footing, enjoy the rare view of Lost Lake on the other side. The lake is shaped like the state of California and might have very well been called California Lake. Some 300 yards to the left on the Gennette Creek Canyon side of the mountain, the pilot of a light plane had the misfortune of crashing below the peak. Pieces of aluminum can be spotted on the mountainside.

© Bill, Candice and George

© Pond at Upper End of Lake

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Nevada High Country Outfitters is located on the west side of the range in Lamoille Valley. From the Lamoille Highway, SR 227, drive through the community of Lamoille to the white steepled Presbyterian church at the Crossroads. Turn right and follow the road as it makes a left turn a short distance later. At the third road to the right, Dysart Road, make a right turn and make two or three more right angle turns to make your way into the ranch.

© Entrance to Jaz Ranch

A horse trip into Verdi Lake with Nevada High Country Outfitters starts right from the outfitter's ranch at Lamoille. The distance is eight miles one way over a relatively good, easy to follow trail with some steepness and rocky terrain along the way. The trail starts on the right side of Talbott Canyon, eventually crosses the creek, and continues the rest of the way along the left side.

© Creek and Falls Along Trail © Canyon from the Basin

Typical of many canyons, aspen trees provide shade at the lower part of the canyon and on the trail, but the terrain changes to more open country upon reaching a meadow that is still some distance from the lake. The terrain then levels out considerably and the rest of the ride (or hike if you are hiking) is easy and relaxing.

Along the way the canyon bends slightly to the right and at a certain point, due to the steep, high cliffs ahead, you can tell where the lake has to be. Upon reaching Verdi Lake, Verdi Peak is in front of you. Climb the ridge to the right and Lamoille Canyon is on the other side. During a climb up the canyon wall towards the ridge, I came across two faded red canisters, rather heavy that appeared to have fuses attached, that were probably avalanche busting explosives.

© Verdi Lake © Verdi Peak

© Verdi Lake © Verdi Lake and Peak

Somewhat unusual, the creek along the way is not fed directly from the lake, but instead is fed from the lake's underground springs and snow runoff. The area is prime for spotting deer, bighorn sheep and mountain goats. The lake contains cutthroat trout but fishing can be iffy. By first contacting Todd Schwandt at Nevada High Country Outfitters, hikers can use the trail for a $25 trespassing fee (for trail maintenance).

© Lake from Hillside © Todd and Duane

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© Horses above Liberty Lake © Echo Lake

Echo Lake is a prized destination but the difficulty in reaching this lake on foot has been pointed out elsewhere on these pages. There is a hiking guide that tells you it is an easy hike into Echo Lake but the author does not describe the route he has in mind. Unless you were going by way of Echo Canyon via the locked gate through reservation land and paying the fee, as described in Part 2 of this site, any other way to Echo qualifies as one of the most difficult treks to any lake in the Rubies. The Echo Canyon route cannot even be described as easy.

The following quote is borrowed from a web page where hikers were initially misled about the trail guide's "easy" reference to Echo Lake:

"We talked with the owner...who discouraged us from even thinking about going to Echo Lake due to the ruggedness of the terrain. He said that whoever wrote the trail guide book we had was nuts, as the path would require traversing along the razor-sharp ridge and lots of contouring along very steep scree fields. Needless to say we bagged the idea, and decided to just stick with the five lakes in the northern part of the area: Lamoille, Liberty, Favre, Castle, and North Furlong."

Bill Gibson of Elko Guide Service (Ruby Crest Ranch) can access Echo Lake by horse. A rather long and hard, but very scenic and interesting, 18 mile round trip by way of Liberty Pass, Kleckner Canyon and Box Canyon can be made in one day.

© Box Lake (not officially named) © Bill and Candice

© Grazing Horses in Box Canyon

© Bighorn Sheep Near Echo Lake

Left photo, two rams the same color as the rocks, lying down just to the right of the photo's center.
Right photo, two rams standing, one behind the other. Expand the ram images for close up views.

© Ram silhouetted against skyline.

© Overlooking Echo Lake

                                                   
© Returning via Kleckner Canyon Passing by Liberty and Favre Lakes

Above Liberty Lake, two Mackinaws in the ten pound range were seen thrashing around the surface of the water at the expense of smaller Brook trout on their dinner menu.

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AREA MAP

Map Displaying Lake Locations and Other Geographic Features

Click the map image to expand to full size (file size is 279k so loading time may be slow). The map will show the locations of many features mentioned on these pages. Included are the communities of Elko, Wells, Deeth, Jiggs, Lee, Lamoille and Spring Creek. Some geographic features shown are Ruby Valley, Secret Pass, Harrison Pass, the Ruby Marshes (Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge), and Lamoille Canyon. Relative positions are shown for all named lakes in the Ruby Mountains and East Humboldts as well as some other major canyons. To prevent over-crowding, the distances apart are not exactly to scale.

Hole in the Mountain, also referred to as Lizzie's Window (named after the pioneer woman for whom credit is given for first viewing the window) is located in the East Humboldt range in the general vicinity of Boulder Lake. Binoculars may be required but it can be seen from I-80 near the exit to Deeth. Reaching the hole by climbing from either the Clover Valley or Starr Valley side is a demanding task.

The pyramid looking peak containing the window, with a given elevation of 11,127 feet, is not the same as Hole in the Mountain Peak. Hole in the Mountain Peak, with an elevation of 11,306 feet (sometimes indicated as 11,276 feet), is the highest peak in the East Humboldts and is a more rounded looking peak located just a short distance north of the window. From Clover Valley the climb to the Peak is a considerably easier task than the climb to the Window.

The Peak is out of view in the above right photo and is still some distance off to the left. This photo was taken from the Starr Valley (west) side of the range rather than from the Clover Valley (east) side. Most photos of the window that will be encountered are taken from Clover Valley.

© Humboldt Outfitters Mike, Matt and Mark Morrison

With the aid of horses, Humboldt Outfitters can eliminate considerable hiking distance and get you to within about one hour's climbing time of the hole. The route from the Starr Valley road starts from a two wheel track road through the sagebrush for about four miles into the mountains which eliminates some long, dry and dusty riding. A high clearance two wheel drive vehicle can manage this road.

© Begining of Trail Through Aspens © Pond at Basin

The road ends and the trail begins right at the beginning of some aspens which provide shade for much of the ride. The trail starts to gain altitude immediately and after a two hour ride ends in a lush basin below the hole. At that point the horses get a well deserved rest and you are on your own. The area is prime for spotting bighorn sheep and mountain goats.

                                     
Cliffs and Snowbanks a Short Distance Below the Hole

The straight line distance to the hole is not all that far but of course you can't get there that way from here. From the basin, either climb to the ridge on the right, cut left and approach the hole from the back side (difficult), or scramble up the rocks in front and to the left and then move right towards the hole (easier).

Comparing the difficulties of reaching the hole from the west side (Starr Valley) and from the east side (Clover Valley), the climb from the basin, when starting from Starr Valley, is the easiest once you have reached the basin. However, it is about five miles from the Starr Valley road to the basin.

The climb from the Clover Valley side is more difficult but with a 4-WD vehicle and using the public access road from Lizzie's Basin, the hiking distance can be reduced considerably before the start of the real climb. One source reports that the best and easiest approach to the Window is by first climbing to the Peak and making your way from there (rather than trying a direct approach to the Window).

Additional information and photos covering the approach to the Window and the Peak from Clover Valley can be found at Part 5 of this site Birdeye Lake, Lake Peak, Smith Lake, Clover Valley and Cave Creek.

© Don Hamilton, Travis Munster and Shelby at the Hole

For some spectacular photos taken from within the hole by Don Hamilton of Carlin, Nevada, link to Climb to Hole in the Mountain by Donald Hamilton and Travis Munster and four footed canine Shelby.

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Greys Lake in the East Humboldt range can be reached, either by hiking or by horse, from Angel Lake. While this five mile one way route provides a good trail, the hike is described as difficult due to long steep climbs and a long descent into the lake (and, of course, a long ascent back out).

© Greys Lake

Here is one hiker's partial description of the hike: "...About 1/2 mile beyond Clover Creek the trail begins a mean decline from 8500' to 7800' as it crosses Trout Creek. At the Trout Creek crossing there are several trails. Just make sure you stay on the one that goes up after the creek and up for a cruel climb to 9100'.

"...the next major ridge reached is at 9100'. Here you can view Greys Lake and wonder if you want to continue downward to 8700'..."

The lake can also be reached by a much shorter and easier route by coming in directly from Starr Valley. Contact Todd Schwandt at Nevada High Country Outfitters in Lamoille to arrange a horse trip to this destination. The trail starts in the sagebrush a short distance off the Starr Valley road but a half mile later enters the aspens for some much needed shade. The trail immediately gains altitude which separates you from the water source in the creek below.

© Unloading Horses © Trail through Aspens

The ride is easy overall and takes only about one and a half hours for the one way trip. There is one stretch of rocky trail that must be traversed with some caution. Upon arriving at the lake, which sits in a typical deep basin, numerous large cutthroat trout can be seen swimming in the shallow waters around the edge of the lake. Looking up from the left side of the lake, you can see the high ridge that the hiker is referring to in his description above "...and wonder if you want to continue downward to 8700'...".

© Viewing Large Cutthroat Trout at Water's Edge © Greys Lake

Over the ridge directly in front of the lake, there is another of the numerous small, unnamed lakes that dot the mountain range. This small lake, or pond, can be reached by either climbing directly over the ridge, a rather easy climb, or by taking the more circuitous but gradual route around to right and up the short canyon. This route requires fighting some brush.

© Pond Above Lake © Todd Schwandt, Nevada High Country Outfitters

© Jeannie and Mike

Hikers can use this trail. If you are interested in doing this, contact me via email for information. With all those cutthroat in plain view from water's edge, this lake should be a fisherman's delight.

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© Lake at end of Right Fork Canyon

Hiking Right Fork Canyon with descriptive information is presented in a following section on this page. There is a small triangular shaped lake at the end of the canyon that contains Brook trout but it should not be considered a choice fishing lake. The lake had been nicknamed Goat Lake (reason unknown--goats can be seen at or near about all the lakes) but was officially named Goat Lake by the U.S. Board On Geograhic Names during December 2005. This came about as an attempt to officially give the lake a more dignified name, Heaven Lake, but established precedent prevailed and Goat Lake became the official name.

© A-Frame Cabins at Camp Lamoille © Approaching Top of High Bluff

A horse trip can be made into the canyon with outfitter Bill Gibson of Elko Guide Service, Ruby Crest Ranch. The ride will start just outside Camp Lamoille (old Boy Scout Camp) and continues along the left side of the canyon, mostly through aspens, until reaching the top of the imposing, high and steep rocky bluff that no doubt grabbed your attention at the start of the ride. Nearing the top, water cascading down the sheer rock off to the right will add to the scenery.

Any photos on these pages or your own digital photos can be converted to postcards. For information, click on postcards.

© Entering Basin © Beaver Ponds

© Resting Horses in Basin © Horses at Goat Lake

The terrain then starts to level out in a lush, green basin and the trail gently follows the canyon around to the right until reaching the small lake at the end. The one way trip is about four miles.

© Horses and Riders © View Back Down the Canyon from Basin

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Arrangements for using the Thomas Canyon Campground are presented in Part 3 of this site, Outfitters, Pack Trips and Backpacking Guide Service.

Hiking into the canyon however is usually not much of a consideration since a lake with (or without) fish is not waiting at the end to test your fishing skills. And since there are usually quite a few campers at the campground, the tendency is to avoid the crowd and push on to more remote areas. However, you may be doing yourself a big disservice by overlooking this easy four or five mile roundtrip hike. This is one of the easiest but one of the most neglected hikes in the entire mountain range. The best time to hike the canyon is June or early July when the creek is high with water.

© Lamoille Creek through Campgrounds © Thomas Canyon Creek After Starting the Hike

If you are there for just hiking and not camping, there is a small parking area marked for hikers on the left side right after entering the campground. There is no indication of a fee for parking there, but the campground administrators reside in a trailer, again on the left after entering the campground, and they could be contacted to ask about parking. If you park in one of the camping areas the fee is $14.

Then make your way through the campground and the trail into the canyon starts opposite camping space 31. The steepest part of the trail is right at the very beginning. Early in the season there are some rather impressive waterfalls immediately off to the right of the trail. Take some time to take a few photos if you have a camera along and 15 minutes later you will be over the steepest part of the trail.

© Waterfalls along Canyon Wall © Pond and Waterfalls

The easily traveled trail lacks the aspens that are prevalent along many other trails and continues through mostly open country. But by overlooking some early on sagebrush, the scenery is immediately impressive and ponds with possibly some beaver activity will be scattered along the way. The creek off to the right is fed by snow runoff and possibly some springs at the end of the canyon. The climb is gradual with hardly any rocks to stumble over. Expect to meet a few other hikers.

© Approach to Basin © View Back Down the Canyon from Basin

After hiking for awhile, you will probably pick out a stand of tall pine trees near a shelf on the right side of the canyon as an intermediate destination point. Upon reaching this shelf, but off to the left of the trees, the trail enters a basin and almost levels off. The trail may disappear in places when proceeding into the basin but the terrain is so mild that you can make your own trail anywhere you want to go.

© Waterfalls and Mt. Fitzgerald in Background © Mt. Fitzgerald

© Cliffs and Waterfalls End of Canyon

Continue to the end of the canyon and impressive waterfalls could be awaiting you on both sides of the canyon. Then if you were to scramble up to the ridge at the canyon's end, Mt. Fitzgerald would be waiting on the far side. However, if you don't want to scale the ridge, you can still see Fitzgerald above the ridge as you are making your way up Thomas Canyon.

© Cliffs and Waterfalls End of Canyon

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Right Fork Canyon, like Thomas Canyon, can easily be overlooked for good hiking since Camp Lamoille at the mouth of the canyon may be teeming with people and activity. However, this doesn't mean that the canyon will be crowded, probably anything but crowded. Goat Lake, a small lake with a few smaller Brook trout, waits at the end of the canyon.

© Goat Lake

Right Fork Canyon is a rather large canyon that branches off Lamoille Canyon to the right. Drive three miles into Lamoille Canyon and take the well maintained dirt road to the right that crosses Lamoille Creek and leads into the old Boy Scout Camp, now called Camp Lamoille. Park in the open area right before crossing the cattle guard near the camp entrance. Walk through the camp on the road skirting the left side of the athletic field toward some A-frame buildings and the trail will start where the road ends.

© Entrance to Camp Lamoille © Creek Crossing After Leaving A-frames

After picking up the trail near the A-frames, the trail is level for 200 yards or so and then crosses the creek to the left. The trail will start to gain altitude immediately and if a fork in the trail is encountered, take the lower fork to the right since the upper fork can be more overgrown with aspens. Both forks end up in the same place.

An impressive and steep rocky bluff is dead ahead. Right Fork Canyon is almost just the opposite of Thomas Canyon. Where Thomas Canyon is generally short and easy, Right Fork is quite a bit longer and more difficult. Abrupt steepness, rocky sections of trail, and aspen thickets that can either provide needed shade or undesired entanglement describe the climb to the top of the bluff.

© Steep, Rocky Bluff Viewed from Lamoille Canyon Road © Nearing the Top

The trail continues through aspens up the left side of the canyon with the creek off to the right. Nearing the top of the bluff, the trail breaks out into the open and there could be some spectacular waterfalls and cascading activity off the rocky slopes to the right. The most treacherous part of the trail is a rocky section after breaking out of the aspens that continues to the top of the bluff.

Finally at the top, the terrain levels out and changes from rocks and aspens to dwarf willows and brush. There is still a long ways to go to the end. If the trail looses itself in the brush, just make your way the best you can and it may be necessary to cross the creek a few times before getting to the end.

© Beaver Pond © Sloping Fairway near end of Canyon

Nearing the end of the canyon, a green, gentle sloping fairway, like might be found on a golf course, is visible off to the left side of the canyon. However, follow the slight bend in the canyon to the right until arriving at a small lake (Goat Lake) at canyon's end. The lake does sustain a small population of Brook trout. The only visible drainage from the lake is a small trickle of water on the far end. The creek flowing down the canyon is fed from snow runoff and underground springs.

© Fairway and Goat Lake © Lake Surface

© View of Lake from Above © Candice

One of the most prized destinations in the entire mountain range is Echo Lake (see the section on Echo Lake in Part II). It is possible to make it to Echo from here. While standing at the small lake and looking towards the end of the canyon, scaling the high rocky ridge to the right will start the scramble to Echo Lake. To attempt a round trip in one day, give yourself plenty of daylight by getting a very early start.

© Cliffs Behind Lake © Approach to Echo Lake

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In Ruby Valley, the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, more commonly known as the Ruby Marshes, is the main attraction because of its excellent bass fishing. The marshes extend for a distance of about 15 miles and part of the area is open to waterfoul hunting during the season.

                                     
© Views of Ruby Marshes

The usual way to Ruby Valley is by way of Harrison Pass. From Elko, follow SR 227, the Lamoille Highway, for about three miles to Spring Creek and at the light turn right onto SR 228 to Lee, Jiggs and Harrison Pass. The road is currently paved almost to the top of the pass and then continues as washboarded gravel to the Ruby Valley Road, passing some interesting CCC cabins on the right when going down the pass. Drive down hill on these washboarded roads in a low gear to keep from over-braking and going into a skid.

© Star Tungsten Mine Cabins in Harrison Pass

At the intersection with the Ruby Valley road, three or four miles from the top of the pass, the road improves from washboard to a smooth surface. Cattle ranches are spread out down the valley to the left. At the intersection a herd of antelope may be feeding in the field immediately across the road.

© Antelope Grazing in Field

Make a right turn for the marshes and other attractions. About six miles later the first of several Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge signs will be on the left.

© Entrance to Wildlife Area © Bressman Cabin (at the entrance) Built During 1880

Drive down the road onto the dikes for observing the various and numerous waterfowl that inhabit the area.

© Geese Along the Dike and Pond

Two miles later, back onto the Ruby Valley road, the headquarters for the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge will be on the right. Stop in for some brochures or other items of interest that can be purchased. The Harry M. Gallagher Fish Hatchery (named after an Elko dentist) follows about one mile later. Feel free to roam around and admire the trout in the tanks.

© RLNWR Headquarters © Harry M. Gallagher Fish Hatchery

Excellent fish hatchery photos and information can be found at the Harry M. Gallagher Fish Hatchery web page.

Next comes Shanty Town about a mile and a half later. There are No Services--period--not even a bar. Probably not much activity here in the winter.

© Main Street Shanty Town

There is no camping close to the water but there is a camping area between the fish hatchery and Shanty Town that is located up towards the hillside. Called the Ruby Lake campground, 775-779-2271 is the number for the campground host.

There are two boat launching areas and certain boat requirements must be followed during different months of the year. Note from the sign (below) that there is no boating from January 1st to June 14th. The first boat launching area for the marshes is two miles farther down the road from Shanty Town and there is a second boat launch a few miles later. After launching your boat, make your way back through channels that are separated by expanses of tulles. The water is generally clear and shallow and you can see the marsh bottom as well as the bass and they can see you.

© Boat Launch © Boat Restriction Rules

One channel leads off another and it used to be, and possibly still is, easy to get lost. The channels to follow had been marked with ribbons tied to the tulles but there is probably a better marker system in place now.

© Entrance to Marshes from Boat Launch

In other areas you can drive out on dikes and try fishing off the dikes for bass or large trout.

On the way to or from Elko stop at Jiggs and take a look at the old schoolhouse that continues to stand after about a hundred years. The owner of the property commented on the possibility of tearing it down but this is a real relic and attraction and should be preserved.

© Welcome to Jiggs

© Jiggs Schoolhouse and Modern Accommodations

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Part 1, Trail to Liberty Pass and Beyond
Part 2, Other Wilderness Areas
Part 2 Supplement, Other Wilderness Areas, Photos and Information
Part 3, Outfitters, Pack Trips and Backpacking Guide Service
Part 4, Hiking the Ruby Crest Trail with Lynda Mellows and Rosanne Baker
Part 5, Birdeye Lake, Lake Peak, Smith Lake, Clover Valley and Cave Creek
Part 6, Hiking Difficulty Comparison Chart
Part 7, C-47 and B-17 Military Aircraft Crash in the East Humboldts