Lee Peak, Ruby Dome, Ruby Pyramid in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV

Hike Lee Peak, Ruby Dome, Ruby Pyramid Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV

Class 3 12.2 miles 6500 gain 7-10 hrs Out + Back Sep 15, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Ruby Dome, the high point of the Ruby Mountains, is definitely a highlight of Nevada peaks. This description uses the standard route for the peak, which heads up Hennen Canyon from the north. You need to get in touch with the Spring Creek Association to obtain a key and permit ($10/day when I went) to reach the end of the Spring Creek Association Campground, where the trailhead is located. The office to obtain the key is part of a golf course and is only open specific hours during the week, so plan accordingly. Some hikers apparently park outside the locked gate and hike the road (adding 5 miles round-trip), but I don't recommend trespassing. Assuming you've secured a key and permit, proceed past the gate and up to the Hennen Canyon Trailhead. The official trail ends at Griswold Lake.

I started along the Hennen Canyon Trail, taking in the typical smokey views that 2020 has offered all summer, and made my way up the nice trail. There were lots of cows and therefore, cowpies. Eventually, the canyon began to narrow from "hilly" status into a proper canyon, and the trail became slightly less easy to follow as it passed over slickrock sections. Cairns marked the best route through alternating brush/trees and rocky outcrops. I had no almost difficulty staying on track, and I recommend just paying attention to cairns as you ascend. There is a small section about a mile before Griswold Lake where the canyon narrows significantly and the trail continues on the left (east) side to avoid the cliffy drainage, some Class 2+ scrambling on solid rock required.

Eventually, I made it to Griswold Lake, which was gorgeous. I noted Lee Peak on the right (my first objective), and the cliffs in front of Ruby Dome on the left. The "official" trail ends here, but the route heading up to Ruby Dome is well-cairned for a while and a social trail is easy to follow. I paralleled Griswold Lake's eastern perimeter on the social trail, and continued along it as it climbs toward the cliffs on the left. The trail is easy to follow, ascending steeply until the first sight of Ruby Dome and Ruby Pyramid come into view. Along the way, I encountered one small Class 3 headwall, which was cairned. The views back into Hennen Canyon as I made my way up were delightful. Once the trail pretty much ends at the top of the ascent out of Hennen Canyon, cairns begin to mark all sorts of possible routes through the talus/scree. However, there is one major line that was clear at the beginning, leading to a grassy gap between two humps framed by Ruby Dome.

While the route is a little cryptic because there are lots of ridges and humps within the talus, getting to Ruby Dome's ridgeline only requires Class 2/2+, so if you're doing anything harder, then you're going the wrong way. Using the images/captions below will also probably be more helpful. I'll note that the standard route stays low for a while before ascending on a garbage scree slope. My friend Jon Avery brought a very fun alternative (Class 2) to my attention, which I happily followed (reflected on my attached map). This route (which is cairned) heads up a talus-covered ridge, before merging back with the standard route, avoiding the scree. The route continues by hugging talus face, well below the ridge crest, on a somewhat exposed Class 2 ledge, and leads to Ruby Dome's west saddle.

Most people continue on to Ruby Dome, but I wanted to first go hike to Lee Peak to the west. It's an overlooked Nevada 11er, and is kind of a hassle add-on, though it was a nice peak overall. The ridgeline goes at Class 2+, a few more difficult moves through the talus making the traverse slow. Keeping just left of the ridge felt easiest, and I soon found myself looking down at a steep talus descent that would bring me to a notch below Lee Peak. This notch was something I noted when I was at Griswold Lake as a potential ascent route for Lee Peak, but looking down at it from above gave me shivers and I was happy I chose to traverse the ridge instead. From the notch, a steep grassy slope brought me to just below the summit of Lee Peak. From here, difficult rocky outcrops prevented easy access, so I followed the cliffs on the left, wrapping around to the north side of Lee Peak to reach the true summit. The view down to Griswold Lake and over toward Ruby Dome was amazing, and I could trace my whole route so far.

I backtracked to the notch, reascended the talus slope, and went across the Class 2+ ridge, making my way up more Class 2 to Ruby Dome. More amazing views. Ruby Pyramid sat just to the east, requiring me to follow Ruby Dome's west ridge to the saddle between the two peaks. The section directly after leaving Ruby Dome's summit was slightly exposed Class 2, and was one Class 3 move about halfway down the talus-filled ridge. Ruby Pyramid also went at Class 2/2+, and the views toward Snow Lake Peak, Mount Gilbert, and the many other Ruby Mountain peaks were mind-bogglingly cool fom Ruby Pyramid's summit.

I dropped back to the saddle of Ruby Dome and Ruby Pyramid and made my way down slowly on big boulders (Class 2) along the path of least resistance, traversing the boulder field in a northwesterly direction until I encountered cairns and found myself back on the standard Ruby Dome route. I recommend just planning ahead when descending this section. There are steeper boulder-filled slopes and a few cliffs to avoid, and if you drop too far to the right, you'll be going down the wrong canyon. I made my way back past Griswold Lake and to my car, and to the Spring Creek Association office in time to return the key.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Lee Peak
11025 ft
305 rise
2
Ruby Dome
11387 ft
4793 rise
3
Ruby Pyramid
11360 ft
440 rise

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Hennen Canyon Trailhead.
Hennen Canyon Trailhead.
Starting up the Hennen Canyon Trail through the foothills. You can see the silhouette of peaks ahead, obscured by the smoky wildfire haze.
Starting up the Hennen Canyon Trail through the foothills. You can see the silhouette of peaks ahead, obscured by the smoky wildfire haze.
The Hennen Canyon Trail stays out of the drainage most of the time, swapping between meadows and aspen forest.
The Hennen Canyon Trail stays out of the drainage most of the time, swapping between meadows and aspen forest.
Image 3 from gallery
Image 4 from gallery
The canyon begins to narrow.
The canyon begins to narrow.
The canyon continued to narrow. The trail keeps to the left of the brush seen on the right in this photo, hugging the cliffs.
The canyon continued to narrow. The trail keeps to the left of the brush seen on the right in this photo, hugging the cliffs.
More progress up the canyon.
More progress up the canyon.
Looking back toward a Class 2+ section along the trail to get over a cliff band and also avoid the drainage.
Looking back toward a Class 2+ section along the trail to get over a cliff band and also avoid the drainage.
More Class 2 along the Hennen Canyon Trail.
More Class 2 along the Hennen Canyon Trail.
Looking back down Hennen Canyon as I approach Griswold Lake.
Looking back down Hennen Canyon as I approach Griswold Lake.
Griswold Lake ahead, Lee Peak top right.
Griswold Lake ahead, Lee Peak top right.
I continued along the left side of Griswold Lake on a social trail after the official Hennen Canyon Trail ended.
I continued along the left side of Griswold Lake on a social trail after the official Hennen Canyon Trail ended.
Looking back toward Griswold Lake.
Looking back toward Griswold Lake.
Class 3 headwall on the ascent from Griswold Lake. It's less hard than it looks in this photo.
Class 3 headwall on the ascent from Griswold Lake. It's less hard than it looks in this photo.
Looking back again toward Griswold Lake as I make a bunch of progress out of Hennen Canyon.
Looking back again toward Griswold Lake as I make a bunch of progress out of Hennen Canyon.
The route is not obvious as you look, but the social trail is good and leads toward the top center of this photo.
The route is not obvious as you look, but the social trail is good and leads toward the top center of this photo.
Looking back, Lee Peak top left. Note the notch on the far left - I thought maybe that could be an ascent route to Lee Peak, but once on the ridge looking down at it later, I was happy I didn't try it.
Looking back, Lee Peak top left. Note the notch on the far left - I thought maybe that could be an ascent route to Lee Peak, but once on the ridge looking down at it later, I was happy I didn't try it.
Continuing on the social trail.
Continuing on the social trail.
Looking back, Lee Peak top left, Griswold Lake right of center.
Looking back, Lee Peak top left, Griswold Lake right of center.
The social trail ended as the steep ascent petered out. Ahead, the route becomes a little less obvious, cairns the only thing marking the route. Ruby Pyramid is seen center, Ruby Dome on the right. The route heads to the right of the talus hump right of center.
The social trail ended as the steep ascent petered out. Ahead, the route becomes a little less obvious, cairns the only thing marking the route. Ruby Pyramid is seen center, Ruby Dome on the right. The route heads to the right of the talus hump right of center.
The route heads to the opening to the right of the hump in the center, just below Ruby Dome.
The route heads to the opening to the right of the hump in the center, just below Ruby Dome.
Looking back toward where I came up the steep social trail from Griswold Lake, left of the pointy thing in the center.
Looking back toward where I came up the steep social trail from Griswold Lake, left of the pointy thing in the center.
Continuing up the opening previously mentioned.
Continuing up the opening previously mentioned.
The cairns mark a nice route up the cliffs on the right. After doing Ruby Pyramid later, my return route would bring me back to this spot from the left in this photo.
The cairns mark a nice route up the cliffs on the right. After doing Ruby Pyramid later, my return route would bring me back to this spot from the left in this photo.
Looking back along the cliffy route, Class 2.
Looking back along the cliffy route, Class 2.
The standard route heads to the left, keeping low. I recommend following the ridge in the center. Cairns mark the ridge crest for a while before keeping left of the crest and traversing the talus-filled slope.
The standard route heads to the left, keeping low. I recommend following the ridge in the center. Cairns mark the ridge crest for a while before keeping left of the crest and traversing the talus-filled slope.
Looking back toward my progress, Griswold Lake pictured below.
Looking back toward my progress, Griswold Lake pictured below.
Class 2 route, just left of the ridge crest.
Class 2 route, just left of the ridge crest.
The standard route and this ridge route meet up about here, and continue on this somewhat exposed Class 2 ledge.
The standard route and this ridge route meet up about here, and continue on this somewhat exposed Class 2 ledge.
Looking back at the slightly exposed section.
Looking back at the slightly exposed section.
Ruby Dome ahead! First, I went to Lee Peak (behind me).
Ruby Dome ahead! First, I went to Lee Peak (behind me).
Along the ridge to Lee Peak. Griswold Lake visible on the right. Lee Peak is top center.
Along the ridge to Lee Peak. Griswold Lake visible on the right. Lee Peak is top center.
Class 2 tedious ridge on my way to Lee Peak. The talus is loose and I got more than one ding on my leg from talus moving out of place when I didn't expect it.
Class 2 tedious ridge on my way to Lee Peak. The talus is loose and I got more than one ding on my leg from talus moving out of place when I didn't expect it.
Looking back at my progress, Ruby Dome on the right.
Looking back at my progress, Ruby Dome on the right.
Lee Peak ahead, but first a steep talus slope to a notch separating me from Lee Peak. I would have to reascend this slope later.
Lee Peak ahead, but first a steep talus slope to a notch separating me from Lee Peak. I would have to reascend this slope later.
At the notch (bottom right) that I thought might work as an ascent route from Griswold Lake, but I'm glad I didn't try it. Lee Peak's summit area visible top left, but there are cliffs making easy access to the summit from this side difficult.
At the notch (bottom right) that I thought might work as an ascent route from Griswold Lake, but I'm glad I didn't try it. Lee Peak's summit area visible top left, but there are cliffs making easy access to the summit from this side difficult.
Looking back toward the notch and the talus slope I descended from along the ridge.
Looking back toward the notch and the talus slope I descended from along the ridge.
Slope up to Lee Peak.
Slope up to Lee Peak.
Avoiding the summit cliffs by keeping to the left around them.
Avoiding the summit cliffs by keeping to the left around them.
Lee Peak summit ahead.
Lee Peak summit ahead.
Lee Peak summit, view east toward Ruby Dome.
Lee Peak summit, view east toward Ruby Dome.
Griswold Lake below.
Griswold Lake below.
Wide shot of Griswold Lake (left), the route from Girswold Lake to the ridge, and Ruby Dome just out of frame on the far right.
Wide shot of Griswold Lake (left), the route from Girswold Lake to the ridge, and Ruby Dome just out of frame on the far right.
After retracing my steps, now at the base of Ruby Dome.
After retracing my steps, now at the base of Ruby Dome.
Ruby Dome summit, view toward Lee Peak (far left) and the ascent route I took in the center. Hennen Canyon visible right of center.
Ruby Dome summit, view toward Lee Peak (far left) and the ascent route I took in the center. Hennen Canyon visible right of center.
The somewhat exposed Class 2 ridge leading down Ruby Dome's east side.
The somewhat exposed Class 2 ridge leading down Ruby Dome's east side.
Looking back toward Ruby Dome's summit.
Looking back toward Ruby Dome's summit.
Ruby Pyramid ahead.
Ruby Pyramid ahead.
Class 3 move coming down from Ruby Dome.
Class 3 move coming down from Ruby Dome.
Looking back toward Ruby Dome as I ascent Ruby Pyramid.
Looking back toward Ruby Dome as I ascent Ruby Pyramid.
Wide shot from Ruby Pyramid toward Ruby Dome (left), Lee Peak (left of center), and Hennen Canyon (right of center). My descent route from Ruby Pyramid will start at the saddle of Ruby Dome and Ruy Pyramid, traverse the talus in the center of this photo, and lead back to the left side of that unnamed point on the right, where I rejoined the Ruby Dome route.
Wide shot from Ruby Pyramid toward Ruby Dome (left), Lee Peak (left of center), and Hennen Canyon (right of center). My descent route from Ruby Pyramid will start at the saddle of Ruby Dome and Ruy Pyramid, traverse the talus in the center of this photo, and lead back to the left side of that unnamed point on the right, where I rejoined the Ruby Dome route.
Ruby Pyramid summit, view east.
Ruby Pyramid summit, view east.
Close-up of Mount Fitzgerald (right), Snow Lake Peak (just left of Fitzgerald), Mount Gilbert (left middle), and the other main Ruby Mountains peaks.
Close-up of Mount Fitzgerald (right), Snow Lake Peak (just left of Fitzgerald), Mount Gilbert (left middle), and the other main Ruby Mountains peaks.
Back at the saddle of Ruby Dome and Ruby Pyramid, heading along the tedious talus slope. My goal is to get to the left of the point in the center.
Back at the saddle of Ruby Dome and Ruby Pyramid, heading along the tedious talus slope. My goal is to get to the left of the point in the center.
Looking back toward Ruby Pyramid.
Looking back toward Ruby Pyramid.
Class 2. Keep an eye on the point on the far right. I'm trying to get just to the left of it.
Class 2. Keep an eye on the point on the far right. I'm trying to get just to the left of it.
Cairned route for part of my descent. It leads to just left of the point on the right.
Cairned route for part of my descent. It leads to just left of the point on the right.
Back at Griswold Lake, with better lighting.
Back at Griswold Lake, with better lighting.
Heading back down Hennen Canyon, better light.
Heading back down Hennen Canyon, better light.

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