Lakes Loop of Ruby Mountains Wilderness in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV

Hike Lakes Loop of Ruby Mountains Wilderness Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV

Class 2 12.2 miles 4600 gain 6-8 hrs Loop Jul 9, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Lakes Loop of Ruby Mountains Wilderness GPX Track

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2022 Update: Five years after doing this loop, we returned to get the peaks surrounding these lakes. It uses a similar route to this one, but gets a higher view of the area and adds a bunch more danger. You can see that trip report here.

The Ruby Mountains are an unexpectedly gorgeous mountain range in northern Nevada. This loop tours some of the best lakes in the area using trails and off-trail routes: Island Lake, Snow Lake, Castle Lake, Favre Lake, Liberty Lake, and Lamoile Lake. We started out along the Island Lake Trail, headed around the lake's north side, and worked off-trail to a Class 2 pass directly to its west. We dropped down a Class 2+ steep slope on scree and began heading south, working around the slopes below Snow Peak. A steep slope led to a pass to the west of Snow Peak, where we found a notch that led into the head of a valley, where Snow Lake was nestled. We had lots of snow on our visit, making the trip more dangerous, but I wouldn't call anything harder than Class 2.

We dropped down to Snow Lake and continued south, working around a ridge by by following the slopes and were rewarded with the most gorgeous valley I've ever seen. The views to the west were incredible, serene, bright green, and super remote. We followed the valley's slopes down to the southeast until we reached a stream crossing coming from Favre Lake. We opted to head up the slopes to Castle Lake farther to the south before hitting Favre Lake. The slope was steep, but the lake very pretty. After, we got to slide down on lots of snow back down to Favre Lake. We were able to pick up the Ruby Crest Trail from Favre Lake, which we followed north past Liberty Lake and Lamoille Lake, returning to the trailhead.

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Leaving the trailhead along the maintained trail to Island Lake.
Leaving the trailhead along the maintained trail to Island Lake.
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Island Lake.
Island Lake.
Island Lake.
Island Lake.
Continuing up to the pass from Island Lake.
Continuing up to the pass from Island Lake.
Looking back toward Island Lake.
Looking back toward Island Lake.
Getting closer to the pass.
Getting closer to the pass.
Looking back toward Island Lake.
Looking back toward Island Lake.
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Looking back at Island Lake from the pass.
Looking back at Island Lake from the pass.
Descending a steep gully to the other side of the pass.
Descending a steep gully to the other side of the pass.
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Headed for that next pass in the center.
Headed for that next pass in the center.
Looking back toward the pass we came through.
Looking back toward the pass we came through.
The red stuff is algae that thrives in cold temperatures.
The red stuff is algae that thrives in cold temperatures.
We followed this ridge, keeping right of the pinnacle in the center.
We followed this ridge, keeping right of the pinnacle in the center.
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Approaching the snow field leading to our notch.
Approaching the snow field leading to our notch.
Looking back along our ridge.
Looking back along our ridge.
We went up the middle of these three notches.
We went up the middle of these three notches.
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Coming into the notch.
Coming into the notch.
At the other side of the notch, looking down at Snow Lake.
At the other side of the notch, looking down at Snow Lake.
Snow Lake.
Snow Lake.
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Looking back at Snow Lake.
Looking back at Snow Lake.
Continuing toward a storm.
Continuing toward a storm.
We headed toward the ridge in the distance.
We headed toward the ridge in the distance.
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After dipping down to 9800 feet or so, we started up the ridge.
After dipping down to 9800 feet or so, we started up the ridge.
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Looking back the way we came, Snow Lake peak on the right, Mt. Fitzgerald on the left.
Looking back the way we came, Snow Lake peak on the right, Mt. Fitzgerald on the left.
Nearing the top of the ridge.
Nearing the top of the ridge.
Ridiculously gorgeous valley to the west.
Ridiculously gorgeous valley to the west.
Continuing east, following the side of the valley for a while before descending.
Continuing east, following the side of the valley for a while before descending.
I took way too many photos of this valley.
I took way too many photos of this valley.
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A section of boulder hopping as we began to descend into the valley.
A section of boulder hopping as we began to descend into the valley.
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In the center of the valley, still heading east.
In the center of the valley, still heading east.
Quick excursion to Castle Lake.
Quick excursion to Castle Lake.
After Castle Lake, headed north past Favre Lake.
After Castle Lake, headed north past Favre Lake.
Looking back toward Favre Lake.
Looking back toward Favre Lake.
Continuing up the side of the valley on a real trail toward Liberty Lake.
Continuing up the side of the valley on a real trail toward Liberty Lake.
Liberty Lake.
Liberty Lake.
Looking back toward Liberty Lake.
Looking back toward Liberty Lake.
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Continuing up toward Liberty Pass.
Continuing up toward Liberty Pass.
Looking back the way we came from Liberty Pass.
Looking back the way we came from Liberty Pass.
Looking north to the trailhead from Liberty Pass.
Looking north to the trailhead from Liberty Pass.
Lamoille Lake below.
Lamoille Lake below.
Lamoille Lake
Lamoille Lake
Lamoille Lake
Lamoille Lake
Lamoille Lake
Lamoille Lake
Lamoille Lake
Lamoille Lake
Continuing on a real trail past a few more lakes.
Continuing on a real trail past a few more lakes.
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Looking down toward the trailhead.
Looking down toward the trailhead.
Almost back.
Almost back.
Looking back the way we came toward Liberty Pass.
Looking back the way we came toward Liberty Pass.

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!