In the summer of 2019, on a hike at Cedar Breaks Nat'l Monument, we briefly chatted with another hiking couple. From them, we learned about the Ruby Mountains. Since then,TBG has longed to fit a visit there into our itinerary, and this was the year it worked out. Not only that, but his big i.e. older brother (TBB) and our sister-in-law (SIL) were able to work a meet-up into their schedules. Not only that, but their youngest son and our youngest nephew (OYN) was also able to make a drive to connect with us while there.
We had originally planned to stay at the National Forest campground, but at the last minute we decided to stay in Elko proper at Valley View RV, which wasn't scenic but had a great price for full hook-up and was close to the AirBNB where family was staying. We have no photos of either of those places, but as you'll soon see, that's not going to matter. Like my post about the Tetons, if you have the ability to view this on a larger-than-phone screen, do it.
We had a couple days on our own before the family's arrival, and we spent the first on a recon mission into Lamoille Canyon to check out the trailhead situation.
The newly-paved road made a black ribbon through the gilded highlands.
I got a little dizzy from the number of times TBG swerved into the pull-outs to jump from the car and snap photos.
Each new vista made us more excited for the handful of hikes we had ahead of us.
The Rubies offered more than just incredible panoramas, they are the transplanted-now-established home to the
Himalayan Snowcock (HS) a very large member (up to 28" and 10 lbs.) of the Grouse/Pheasant family that likes to hang out around 10,000' or higher. Their numbers in their native land are just hanging on, but they are still thriving in the Rubies. I was determined to find them.
We were saving the big hikes for the whole group, so on our second day, we headed to a trail outside the canyon on USFS land named Secret Starr.
The angle of the sun and some light haze didn't make for the best photo ops, but in person the colors on the far hills looked like melted crayons. We heard and saw numerous birds along the way, all of us enjoying the warmth while it lasted. We didn't see another soul, which made it the perfect hike to get us ready for the next ones.
That late afternoon, TBB & SIL arrived, and we met them at their place with a big pot of homemade soup, over which we plotted our adventures the following day. Our decision was to try for a double hike, two trails leading off in different directions from the central parking area. This left us the option of bagging the second hike if the weather refused to play nicely.
It was a bright and very chilly morning when we set off for Island Lake, which was not only supposed to be picturesque, but was often a place where the sneaky HS was spotted.
It was a steady climb that kept us warm as we navigated the switchbacks.
The sun played hide-and-seek through the variety of clouds.
When we reached Island Lake, I shushed my companions so we could listen for the calls or bugles of the snowcocks.
The weather was holding up, so we decided to continue on with the second hike to Dollar Lakes.
The gray skies made the dried russet foliage glow.
Only minutes into the hike, we heard a thunderclap. We paused, looked at the ominous gathering clouds and discussed the intelligence of continuing to climb higher into bad weather. Not wanting to quit, but also not wanting to become a cautionary tale, we reluctantly turned back. As we retraced our steps, the deep gray skies lightened, and it looked as if the thundery cell was moving away from our original destination. We again paused, trying to decide if we should try again. SIL suggested that we do but with the caveat of one more thunderclap being the end of our adventure. It was unanimously agreed to, and we turned around again.
About midway up to the lakes, we sought shelter from a brief bout of sleet. "Better than rain!" we all agreed. Soon enough, we reached the beautiful lakes.
Realizing that Lamoille Lake was very close and would make our hike a loop instead of an out-and-back, TBB navigated us to it.
To think we almost bypassed this! SIL said she liked Dollar Lakes better because of all the colorful foliage, and they were certainly striking, but I thought Lamoille was the standout. We agreed, though, that seeing both was well worth the risk!
The weather cells continued to swirl around the peaks, and we did our best to hurry down, but the back half of the loop, though less steep, was rockier.
We almost made it. The parking lot was in sight, but the trail was a series of long switchbacks, and the downpour caught us. We were soaked when we got back to the car, where we threw in our gear and jumped in as quick as we could. Despite the soggy ending, it was a great double hike!
The weather stayed mostly crummy through the following day, but OYN arrived, and we all had fun playing card and dice games and catching up. The precipitation ended, making it mostly clear for our final hike, but it had left its mark in the higher elevations.
The people in the above photo like snow. I love them anyway.
The second or third photo of this post shows Thomas Canyon, the site of this hike, and what it looked like before being snowed on. I concede the fall colors juxtaposed with the snow made for some stunning scenery.
We were the first hikers in, and we took turns breaking trail through the snow. It prevented us from freezing.
The sun made shy appearances.
I got excited when I saw movement across the canyon. It was "just" a herd of deer. The first photo shows how far away they really were, and had they not been moving, I never would have known they were over there.
The clouds threatened, but nothing more fell from them during our trek. The colors became more scarce the higher we climbed, but one particular grove of trees on the way up demanded our attention.
It demanded our attention on the way down, too.
Even though the weather tried to mess with us, the Ruby Mountains proved to be everything TBG was hoping for. It was great to see family again, sharing good talks, good food, and good hiking.
I thought my search for the Himalayan Snowcock was in vain, but when OYN was going through his photos after arriving back home, he realized he'd captured one after all!
If only I had turned around bahahaha!
See you in the Himalayas North Las Vegas Phoenix!
I enjoy learning about new places like this. The snow sure made the fall colors pop in some of the photos. Thanks for sharing your travels.
Thanks for following along Kemp. Going forward the SW might not have the drama we encountered here, but we’ll try to keep you entertained.
Being virtually and sometimes literally surrounded by other full-time travelers, it’s a rare thing to find places few of them have explored, but this seems to be one. Amazing what a brief chat on the trail can do! I hope you guys can visit there someday, too.
Much love for these beautiful photos. I lived (born in) Elko 1954 thru 1979. My dad ( a real old-timer) was raised on an 80-acre ranch in the Lamoille Valley. Every summer we would make our way up the frightening-dirt road to the top with little travel trailer and tents. Our camp would remain all summer for family & friends to visit. More animals than people –several glimpses of cougar, more of bear and down canyon rattlesnakes scared the daylights out of us. My Brownie & Girl Scout Group-Camp was mid-canyon. I’ve been following your travel blog for a while and appreciate your photography and humor.
Wow, thank you Eliza! How cool that this was your home, with such great memories. So many critter sightings you’ve had — we’ve seen bears & rattlers, but not (yet?) a cougar. That’s probably a good thing! Thank you for taking time to comment & for following along!
Living the life. Love all your photos.
This was a good stop, indeed. It’s not all peaches & posies, but places like this go a long way toward happiness. 🙂
Another entertaining post of your adventures! The photos are absolutely amazing. I love the colors. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you! I think Toohey would like the Rubies and would be an A1 Himalayan Snowcock finder!
The last time we were in the Ruby Mountains and Lamoille Canyon was in fall of 2012. We were only there for a couple of days, just enough to hike the canyon trail and the Island Lake Trail. Like you, we were hoping to see the Himalayan Snowcock. (We didn’t. How convenient that you had one follow you home, LOL!!)
In all of our travels and hiking, that landscape still ranks high on my list of the most beautiful we’ve seen. Your photos really showcase the stunning rugged beauty. It was gorgeous when we were there with the fall colors. With your snow covered landscape, the trees look like they’re glowing!
Even just a few days make a good stop. I can’t imagine a better time than fall to be there, even if (especially if?) it snows. Wasn’t it something that Snowcock took a shine to me? Sneaky grousey! 😂
The Ruby Mountains are on my future list. They just aren’t in a good spot for other places on my list. I love hiking to mountain lakes. I love all the lakes you found despte the lack of full sun. Boy does that snow ever brighten the trees! Amazing photos! I enjoy snow on the trail in late spring when you can wear shorts and still hit those snowy areas in the woods. Great family visit!
From your home base, it would be worth it for a stand-alone trip. Even though I do my best to avoid snow at all costs, it really did create such brilliant contrast with those trees. There were even more lakes beyond the ones we did — plan your Fall of 2022 now! 🙂
I only recently learned about the Ruby Mountains (from a PBS TV special) and now they’re on my list! Your photos are fantastic! (well, except for the snow….)
I’ll have to keep a lookout for that special; we always seem to get PBS whenever we get OTA TV. I’m going to have to compare to my special 😆 I agree about the snow. That’s my one day allowance for the year!
I don’t think I’ve ever even heard of these mountains, but wow! They are beautiful! And I totally hear you on the snow, but those photos are just stunning! You were there at the exact right time. The one above “It demanded our attention” needs to be printed and framed too. (I’m gonna have your whole future house decorated with your photos, btw. Just give me time. 🙂 )
They’re definitely still a bit of a hidden gem, but since you can get a good taste in a few days, they need to be on your next cross-country itinerary!
Keep right on planning my future wall art! It’s too hard for me to choose, so your input is appreciated 😃
P.S. you’ll definitely need to help me choose which crested saguaro picture to grace my walls someday!
Wow! I am stunned by the beauty of the fall colors against the snowy background. But I am also deeply grateful that I didn’t have to hike through a sleet storm or trudge through snow in order to enjoy this scenery. Thank you for your service to us all. 🙂 These mountains really are a hidden gem — I am very glad you took the advice of random trail-strangers and checked into this spot. Now we all know to put it on our itineraries in the future.
Random trail strangers, particularly those we meet on more challenging or out-of-the-way hikes, are Our People. We hope we have been those strangers to others, too. We’ll, I guess we have virtually with this post! I can’t wait to see everyone’s pictures and see who finds the first HS among us😁
Looks absolutely beautiful but cold. Keep us posted when you get to Phoenix!
It was both of those for sure! We’re looking forward to Phoenix time with you soon!🙂
Oh my gosh, this is so pretty! I especially love the contrast of the snow and the brightly colored aspens. Thank you for sharing this lovely place; I had no idea these mountains existed.
Thank you! It helped that I was surrounded by four other people who not only love hiking, but are very into photography (one professionally.) The Rubies cry out for a handstand photo! 😀
Indeed they do! One day, I’ll have to do a handstand on a mountaintop there.
Wow, this is the first time I heard of Ruby Mountains! And look at all your fantastic photographs, capturing Fall in the mountains at its glory. Hiking in snow has not been one of our favorites but you made it look so easy 🙂 Love the searching landscape photos most especially the one that need a second look, orange aspens agains white backdrop. Love them all.
Too bad you missed the Snowcock, despite its stealth appearance. I guess a reason for another visit, this time at springtime!
My hiking companions have far less snow experience than I, so they still think it’s especially lovely. 😆 It made that last hike unique, but I’m glad for the contrast among all the hikes. I was sorry we never even heard a Snowcock. Definitely a good reason for a return visit. Wanna go?
Wow. The colors really pop against the snow. I’m putting the Rubies on my list.
It’s a perfect stop on any full-timers’ itinerary!
Yea, I love the snow hikes ❄️❄️❄️ and even if you don’t Joodie, we love you too 🥰. It was a great way to catch-up – we always have so much fun together. Well, except for the last evening’s debacle 😫. We will catch up with you another day soon I hope, when you are ready to be around family again. Love ya SIL!
I was just catching up on our yearly review and realized I never saw this comment the first time around (probably spotty internet, which I will not miss!) Even though we never found the snowcock but did find snow, this trip and being together was great fun. ❤