The Ruby Mountains are flush with wildlife, mountain scenery, lakes, streams and valleys. The Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail on the spine of the Ruby Mountains is well-maintained for backpackers and horseback riders. The Ruby National Wildlife Refuge offers fine fishing and bird watching.

The Ruby Mountains Wilderness sits astride a high ridgeline of mountains and totals more than 90,000 acres. The wilderness runs from Secret Pass south for 90 miles in the Ruby Mountains range. Known to locals as the Rubies, the range includes ten peaks above 10,000 feet (Ruby Dome, 11,387 feet is the highest) and more than two dozen alpine lakes.

Around 300 miles of trail can be accessed from several trailheads. The main trailheads are Roads End in Lamoille Canyon, Harrison Pass, Soldier Canyon, and Overland Lake. Access is mainly on improved dirt roads, except for Lamoille Canyon, which is a 12-mile paved route ending at Roads End. Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail runs along the wilderness for 40 miles.

Location:
From Elko, take SR 227 south for approximately 25 miles. Turn south on FR 660 (Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway) and continue for 12 miles to Roads End trailhead and access to Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail.

Climate:
Snowfall averages about 8-10 feet with winter average lows of 15°F in January. Summer temperatures range from average lows of 45°F to highs of 80°F. Thunderstorms often occur during late summer and fall months.

Lodging:
Elko and Lamoille

Area Managed by:
Ruby Mountains Ranger District
140 Pacific Avenue
Wells, NV 89835
(775) 752-3357
Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:30pm
Fee: No

Summer Activities (Season Mid-June to October):
• Camping
• Climbing
• Fishing
• Hiking/Backpacking
• Horseback Riding
• Hunting
• Mountain Biking (outside the wilderness area)
• Scenic Driving
• Wildlife Viewing
• 4-Wheeling (outside the wilderness area)

Winter Activities (Season late October to April):
• Cross-country skiing
• Snowmobiling (Snowmobile routes are open when there is sufficient snow, approximately eight inches in most places. Snowmobiling is not allowed inside wilderness areas)

Helpful Web sites:
• Public Lands Visitors Center:
http://www.publiclands.org/visitorcenter/
• US Forest Service:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/districts/ruby_mountain.shtml
• Elko Convention & Visitors Authority:
http://www.elkocva.com/
• The Elko Area Chamber of Commerce:
http://www.elkonevada.com/

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