Think of Nevada: What comes to mind? For most people, it's the idea of a somewhat barren desert landscape, red rocks riddled with tumbleweeds, and, in the middle of it all, the vibrant Las Vegas Strip. There might be an abandoned ghost town here and there, leaving nods to the Wild West, or even a lake or two. For the most part, though, many people aren't thinking of green canyons and mountain roads.

Unless, of course, they were driving through Lamoille Canyon and the Ruby Mountains.

Not far from the Utah and Idaho borders, and a seeming world away from the bright lights of Las Vegas, sits this unique landscape. It's one that has earned the nickname of the 'Yosemite of Nevada,' and for a good reason.

Exploring Nevada's Yosemite, The Lamoille Canyon

For starters, Nevada's mostly-desert landscape doesn't exactly fit the same description that Yosemite does. Not only does Yosemite have flowing rivers and towering waterfalls, but it's also home to geysers, thermal pools, and forested valley hikes. At first glance, it would seem that Nevada's mountainous landscape is the only thing it has in common with Yosemite - but one drive through the Ruby Mountains would prove this to be inaccurate.

With the elevation of this mountain range, the land surrounding the Lamoille Canyon receives more precipitation than the rest of the state. This incredible landscape rises a total of 11,387 feet at its highest point on the Ruby Dome summit, with the average mountain range height falling somewhere around 5,000 feet above sea level. This means that the Ruby Mountains are home to a wide array of alpine landscapes, as they were once part of the glaciers that made up the Pleistocene in the region. These former glaciers left behind glacial features that, if one looks close enough, are very similar to the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

  • Fact: The Ruby Mountains are composed of granite (metamorphic) rock which sits in stark contrast to the volcanic rock sediments that make up the other mountain ranges in the state.

Since the Ruby Mountains were carved by glaciers millions of years ago, visitors can find features such as alpine lakes, streams, and an abundance of canyon forests. Due to the unique landscape of the Ruby Mountains, skiers and snowboarders come from all around the western U.S. to experience its annual 300 inches of powdery snow. Believe it - this unique Nevada destination exists, and it's probably one of the most unique parks in the state.

Driving Through The Ruby Mountains

According to Driving Nevada, the appearance of the Ruby Mountains is often compared to that of the Swiss Alps. While that's high praise coming from one of the most-visited alpine peaks in the world, it wouldn't be too off-base. A 45-minute drive along the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway reveals access to a multitude of activities, with the most popular being hiking. However, visitors to these mountains won't even need to leave their cars in order to get an incredible view of the range.

  • Directions: Starting from Nevada State Route 227 south from Elko, continue roughly 19 miles before coming to the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway. This takes drivers through a pass in the mountain range before bringing them to a road loop at the base of Ruby Dome. Directly ahead is the Ruby Mountains Wilderness.

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Hiking Through Lamoille Canyon & The Ruby Mountains

While driving along the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway, hikers will notice signs for several campgrounds along the way. For those interested in spending more than one day in the Ruby Mountains Wilderness, these are a great option to explore the area in full. For hikers looking for a day trip, they can continue on until they've found the trailhead for the Ruby Crest Trail at the end of the road. This trail runs the entirety of the range, including Liberty Pass, the head of Lamoille Canyon, and continuing another 38 miles to Harrison Pass.

On the main trail, hikers will see the Lamoille, Dollar, and Liberty lakes. For hikers who take the trail across the road up to Island Lake, they'll be treated to a two-mile trek up to a glacial tarn that sits in a scenic hanging valley.

For those interested in fishing, any one of the lakes (arguably, Liberty is the best) will do for tiger and brook trout. However, for those who aren't in for a hike, there are beaver ponds at the end of the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway that are great for fishing, as well. Additional recreational activities in Lamoille Canyon include horseback riding during the summer, picnicking, wildlife-viewing, and nature photography.

The Ruby Mountains are a true gem in Nevada for those seeking some greenery amongst its desert landscape. With so much to see in and around Lamoille Canyon, it's best to plan several days to explore its beautiful scenery in full!

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