Mount Gilbert and Echo Lake in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV

Hike Mount Gilbert and Echo Lake Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV

Class 3 10.4 miles 5400 gain 8-11 hrs Loop Jul 10, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mount Gilbert and Echo Lake GPX Track

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I highly recommend skipping this trip report and instead checking out my much more updated outing 5 years after doing this one. The only reason I'm keeping this page up is for sentimental value and in case you want to compare snow photos versus no snow. We made many mistakes on this hike, and I wanted to return to do a better job, plus we got a couple of extra peaks on the newer hike. However, if you decide to read this page, note that the attached map reflects the other hike's route since our track for this hike was overly dangerous and quite wrong much of the time.

This incredible hike in the Ruby Mountains of Nevada to Mt. Gilbert and Echo Lake gets you through a massive lush valley, up a great scramble to a beautiful peak, and to an isolated and serene lake.

We had difficulty finding the trailhead for the Right Fork Lamoille Creek Trail, and we ended up starting on the wrong side of Lamoilly Creek (west). You definitely want to keep east, because on the way back we followed a super nice trail, whereas the way up was a rough bushwhack. After finding the trail continue until you get to the base of Mt. Gilbert, cross Lamoille Creek, and start heading up the grassy slope. Keep to the left as much as possible until the base and then cross right on a ledge until you find Class 2+/3 that takes you to the summit. Thanks to Bob Burd for beta on the route on Mount Gilbert.

After taking in an incredible view of Nevada, head just west of the north ridge and scramble down a gully that includes a Class 3 section that takes you to fairly flat ground, where you then head south along the cliffside for a while until you see a rocky gully, the sketchiest part of this route. It's loose, but nothing crazier than Class 3. From here, continue left along the ridge to a notch that overlooks Echo Lake and head down. Echo Lake is the largest lake in the Ruby Mountains, and it's an effort to get to, though easily worth every second. When we were done enjoying Echo Lake, we were ready to head back into Lamoille Canyon, but messed up and went up an appealing slope to the northeast, not knowing the opposite side of the slope would be nearly impassable (dark blue line on attached map). If you go this way out of the cirque surrounding Echo Lake, expect exposed Class 4. However, you can instead head to the pass to the south of Echo Lake and work your way around on tame terrain, minimizing the absurd risk of death.

Find the Right Fork Lamoille Creek Trail and head back the way you came. What an amzing adventure in the Ruby Mountains this was. Can't wait to go back.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mount Gilbert
11120 ft
480 rise

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Starting just outside Camp Lamoille, hike through the camp and look for a trail on the left.
Starting just outside Camp Lamoille, hike through the camp and look for a trail on the left.
We found a trail, but it wasn't the official trail. I highly, highly recommend looking for the official trail which stays to the left of the creek. Our route was rough and left us with scratches and complaints.
We found a trail, but it wasn't the official trail. I highly, highly recommend looking for the official trail which stays to the left of the creek. Our route was rough and left us with scratches and complaints.
After a while going up the valley, this is a view looking back toward Camp Lamoille.
After a while going up the valley, this is a view looking back toward Camp Lamoille.
Mt. Gilbert looming ahead.
Mt. Gilbert looming ahead.
Approaching the end of the ascent up the valley.
Approaching the end of the ascent up the valley.
Approaching the base of Mt. Gilbert.
Approaching the base of Mt. Gilbert.
Looking back down the valley after beginning the Mt. Gilbert ascent.
Looking back down the valley after beginning the Mt. Gilbert ascent.
Image 7 from gallery
Image 8 from gallery
Looking back the way we came.
Looking back the way we came.
Resting before the snow field and then the scramble.
Resting before the snow field and then the scramble.
Our route went up the snow field ahead, and then continued right along the snow to the slid ground above.
Our route went up the snow field ahead, and then continued right along the snow to the slid ground above.
Looking back from on the snow field.
Looking back from on the snow field.
Image 13 from gallery
A green bench before the long, fun scramble.
A green bench before the long, fun scramble.
Looking back along the bench, the snow field we ascended below.
Looking back along the bench, the snow field we ascended below.
Headed up the scramble.
Headed up the scramble.
Looking back down the scramble.
Looking back down the scramble.
Lots of fun Class 2+/3 moves.
Lots of fun Class 2+/3 moves.
At the ridge of Mt. Gilbert.
At the ridge of Mt. Gilbert.
Almost at the summit.
Almost at the summit.
Mt. Gilbert summit looking north.
Mt. Gilbert summit looking north.
North close up.
North close up.
Mt. Gilbert summit looking south.
Mt. Gilbert summit looking south.
Image 24 from gallery
Down a gully on the northwest side of Mt. Gilbert. The ridgeline is Class 5 insanity, so we had to find another route around the ridge.
Down a gully on the northwest side of Mt. Gilbert. The ridgeline is Class 5 insanity, so we had to find another route around the ridge.
Image 26 from gallery
Once down the gully, we headed south along a convenient ledge between the west face of Mt. Gilbert and a sheer drop.
Once down the gully, we headed south along a convenient ledge between the west face of Mt. Gilbert and a sheer drop.
Continuing toward a snow-filled gully. We headed up the leftmost gully to that notch, but stayed on the rocks to the left of the snow (Class 3).
Continuing toward a snow-filled gully. We headed up the leftmost gully to that notch, but stayed on the rocks to the left of the snow (Class 3).
Looking back from within the gully.
Looking back from within the gully.
At the top of the gully, looking north. Mt. Gilbert on the right (see the ridiculous ridge?), and the gully we came up on the left.
At the top of the gully, looking north. Mt. Gilbert on the right (see the ridiculous ridge?), and the gully we came up on the left.
Continuing south, another crazy-looking ridge that we thankfully would not have to deal with.
Continuing south, another crazy-looking ridge that we thankfully would not have to deal with.
Looking back toward Mt. Gilbert just above Echo Lake.
Looking back toward Mt. Gilbert just above Echo Lake.
Echo Lake!
Echo Lake!
Image 34 from gallery
Image 35 from gallery
Almost at Echo Lake.
Almost at Echo Lake.
Image 37 from gallery
Looking down the canyon that Echo Lake drains into. We didn't go down this, as cool as it looks.
Looking down the canyon that Echo Lake drains into. We didn't go down this, as cool as it looks.
Echo Lake from the southwest.
Echo Lake from the southwest.
The notch we chose to head toward.
The notch we chose to head toward.
Image 41 from gallery
Headed toward the notch.
Headed toward the notch.
Looking back at Echo Lake.
Looking back at Echo Lake.
Waterfalls along our route.
Waterfalls along our route.
At the notch we chose. We chose poorly, as we were greeted by Class 4 downclimbing. I assume the correct notch to head toward was farther east. Oops.
At the notch we chose. We chose poorly, as we were greeted by Class 4 downclimbing. I assume the correct notch to head toward was farther east. Oops.
Our view northeast from the ridge.
Our view northeast from the ridge.
Our Class 4 down climb.
Our Class 4 down climb.
Looking back up at the scramble. No joke.
Looking back up at the scramble. No joke.
Continuing down the slopes heading toward the valley.
Continuing down the slopes heading toward the valley.
An icy lake along the way.
An icy lake along the way.
Looking toward goat lake, but we headed down the valley instead of toward Goat Lake.
Looking toward goat lake, but we headed down the valley instead of toward Goat Lake.
Puddle reflection along the way.
Puddle reflection along the way.
Almost at the valley floor.
Almost at the valley floor.
We were determined to find the real trail this time, since the approach was ridiculous. The trail is on the east side of the creek and is pretty obvious the whole way back.
We were determined to find the real trail this time, since the approach was ridiculous. The trail is on the east side of the creek and is pretty obvious the whole way back.
Looking back the way we came.
Looking back the way we came.
Crossing the creek.
Crossing the creek.
Looking back toward Mt. Gilbert. We had approached it on the west side of the valley, but the trail leads back calmly on the east side of the valley.
Looking back toward Mt. Gilbert. We had approached it on the west side of the valley, but the trail leads back calmly on the east side of the valley.
Mt. Gilbert in the distance as the sun set.
Mt. Gilbert in the distance as the sun set.

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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!