Mount Gilbert and Echo Lake

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV Great Basin + Ruby Mountains (Northern Nevada)

Trip stats

Distance
10.4 mi
Net Gain
5,400 ft
Time
8-11 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 3
Route
Loop
Peaks
1

Ratings out of 10

Effort
8.2/10
Personality
7/10
Beauty
9/10
Solitude
7.4/10
What do these mean? →

Peaks on this hike

Summits listed in route order

  1. Mount Gilbert
    11,120′ elevation · 480′ prominence

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

40.661453, -115.443363

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Get directions (opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Trip report

Notes

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.

Jul 10, 2017 — 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.

Hire me or show some love!

Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

Hire me PayPal Venmo Cash App

Photos

59 photos

  1. Starting just outside Camp Lamoille, hike through the camp and look for a trail on the left.
  2. 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.
  3. After a while going up the valley, this is a view looking back toward Camp Lamoille.
  4. Mt. Gilbert looming ahead.
  5. Approaching the end of the ascent up the valley.
  6. Approaching the base of Mt. Gilbert.
  7. Looking back down the valley after beginning the Mt. Gilbert ascent.
  10. Looking back the way we came.
  11. Resting before the snow field and then the scramble.
  12. Our route went up the snow field ahead, and then continued right along the snow to the slid ground above.
  13. Looking back from on the snow field.
  15. A green bench before the long, fun scramble.
  16. Looking back along the bench, the snow field we ascended below.
  17. Headed up the scramble.
  18. Looking back down the scramble.
  19. Lots of fun Class 2+/3 moves.
  20. At the ridge of Mt. Gilbert.
  21. Almost at the summit.
  22. Mt. Gilbert summit looking north.
  23. North close up.
  24. Mt. Gilbert summit looking south.
  26. 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.
  28. Once down the gully, we headed south along a convenient ledge between the west face of Mt. Gilbert and a sheer drop.
  29. 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).
  30. Looking back from within the gully.
  31. 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.
  32. Continuing south, another crazy-looking ridge that we thankfully would not have to deal with.
  33. Looking back toward Mt. Gilbert just above Echo Lake.
  34. Echo Lake!
  37. Almost at Echo Lake.
  39. Looking down the canyon that Echo Lake drains into. We didn't go down this, as cool as it looks.
  40. Echo Lake from the southwest.
  41. The notch we chose to head toward.
  43. Headed toward the notch.
  44. Looking back at Echo Lake.
  45. Waterfalls along our route.
  46. 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.
  47. Our view northeast from the ridge.
  48. Our Class 4 down climb.
  49. Looking back up at the scramble. No joke.
  50. Continuing down the slopes heading toward the valley.
  51. An icy lake along the way.
  52. Looking toward goat lake, but we headed down the valley instead of toward Goat Lake.
  53. Puddle reflection along the way.
  54. Almost at the valley floor.
  55. 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.
  56. Looking back the way we came.
  57. Crossing the creek.
  58. 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.
  59. Mt. Gilbert in the distance as the sun set.

Photo 1 of 1

Hire me or show some love!

Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

Hire me PayPal Venmo Cash App
GPX track

Mount Gilbert and Echo Lake GPX route and driving track

The complete GPX track is available to download, so you can load the route straight into your navigation app or device. The trip report, route info, photos and planning details stay free.

Add to cart View cart