Hike King Peak via Overland Lake Humboldt National Forest, NV

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I don't think there's another Nevada range that comes close to the beauty of the Ruby Mountains. King Peak, a bigger peak set farther south from the main peaks in the range, was no exception. As a bonus, Overland Lake would add an alpine lake into the mix. I drove to the trailhead, accessible by any car (some ruts might cause minor difficulty to low clearance). The road continues from the large parking area, but there is also a wilderness sign, so I wasn't sure if I could legally continue, plus the road got rougher anyway so I started lower. I marked the end of this road extension as 4WD on my map, though I don't know if it's okay to park there. Either way, the trail begins from the end of the road and skirts the slopes of the sandy foothills. The wildfire smoke was overwhelming today, but it only gave my throat a tickle and added some nice orange diffusion to the sun. The trail was in excellent condition all the way to Overland Lake. The whole time I got some nice views into the desert below and the King Peak ridgeline ahead.

About a half mile before reaching Overland Lake, I hit a junction with the Ruby Crest Trail, which merged with the Overland Lake Trail. This is notable because I would continue following the Ruby Crest Trail past Overland Lake. The lake was blue and lovely, and some fall colors made the setting even more pristine. I headed around its east side (left) on the Ruby Crest Trail, which switchbacked up past a smaller lake and to the ridge above. The RCT continued south once at the ridge, so I left it and headed north. This was the least fun section of the day, where the slopes were brushy enough to irritate my ankles, but certainly not enough to call it a bushwhack. I made an ascending traverse, avoiding the ridge crest's rockiness, until I made it to Peak 10827 (Class 2).

Peak 10827 had great views of King Peak ahead. I dropped down along the ridge (barely Class 2), following the crest over a hump and along talus to just below the summit of King Peak. Keeping to the crest, or just below the crest, avoided the majority of the talus boulder-hopping. I continued up more Class 2 just east of King Peak and made it to the false summit. I noted the sketchy-looking true summit just north. I dropped off the false summit and traversed on boulders to the base of the true summit. The false summit can be avoided by leaving the approach ridge earlier and heading directly north (see map). Once at the base of the true summit, I headed up the Class 2+ very fun scramble to just below the summit. A single Class 3+ move with some exposure led to a short, narrow ridge to the summit block. I took in the smoky views and returned the way I came.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Peak 10827

10827 ft

307 rise

King Peak

11040 ft

1320 rise

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In case you weren't sure by looking at the sign, this is the trailhead.

Starting along the lovely Overland Lake Trail through the sandy foothills.

The route continues to the slope on the far top right.

Entering the Ruby Mountains Wilderness. The trail continues above the rocky pinnacles on the right.

Switchbacks begin up the slopes.

Looking back before passing over a major ridge.

The trail passes over a ridge and heads west toward the ridgeline ahead. King Peak visible center.

Close-up as the trail enters a green tunnel, King Peak visible top right.

The pretty white peak ahead is an unnamed point above Overland Lake.

View looking back - the trail came from the far right.

Continuing up toward Overland Lake.

Looking back again.

Close-up toward King Peak (left of center), a view at the junction of the Overland Lake Trail and the Ruby Crest Trail

View back, just a pretty area. King Peak is out of frame on the left.

Approaching Overland Lake. The pretty white unnamed point visible above.

Overland Lake.

Continuing on the left side of Overland Lake. The Ruby Crest Trail continues up the green gully right of center on the opposite side of the lake.

Approaching the south side of Overland Lake.

Looking back toward Overland Lake.

Overland Lake as I ascend on the Ruby Crest Trail.

A smaller lake above Overland Lake.

Above the smaller lake, still ascending on the Ruby Crest Trail.

Nearing the ridgeline along the Ruby Crest Trail, looking back toward the two lakes.

I left the Ruby Crest Trail and started heading north. Tipton Peak is visible center. It was a tempting objective, but maybe another day.

Heading north, side-hilling through some low brush that got a teeny bit annoying.

Looking back toward the ridge. The Ruby Crest Trail section I ascended on wrapped around from the left to the saddle in the center.

Peak 10827 summit, King Peak visible ahead.

Looking back from Peak 10827. The ridge where I left the Ruby Crest Trail visible on the right.

Heading down from Peak 10827 toward King Peak.

Looking back toward Peak 10827 as I make my way to King Peak.

King Peak on the right. I recommend sticking as close to the ridge as possible to avoid excessive Class 2 talus-hopping.

Looking back toward Peak 10827 as I near the summit area of King Peak.

Just below the false summit of King Peak, looking toward the true summit.

Class 2+ fun scramble to the true summit.

Looking back from the top of the Class 2+ section, view toward the false summit of King Peak.

Class 3+ move to gain the summit ridge of King Peak.

King Peak summit, view north.

King Peak summit, view back toward the false summit and Peak 10827. Tipton Peak visible in the distance, hazy.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!