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Lamoille Canyon is a section of the Ruby Mountains just southeast of Elko, NV near Spring Creek NV. It is a steep canyon carved by glaciers and still not uncommon for avalanches to occur every winter. During the summer you can look up at sections of the rock at what appear to be smooth formations called avalanche chutes. There are several hiking trails leading to high altitude lakes called glacial cirques.
During the winter it can be a difficult task to drive into the canyon for even though it is paved, it is not maintained - there is no snow removal. Snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross country skiing are great opportunities. Summer is always short and snow can fall in the canyon year round. During winter, Big Horn sheep and Mountain Goat can be spotted in the lower mouth of the canyon.
Due to the Range 2 fire in 2018 a great deal of the old growth Aspens that lined the valley were lost as well as the Lion's camp and some historic buildings. Regeneration has been slow but the canyon shows her resilience. The Ruby Mountains as well as the neighboring Eastern Humboldts are under constant threat of development and mining. Conservation efforts by local groups such as the Friends of the Ruby Mountains and the Federal government are working to ensure these mountains stay untouched from human degradation.
If you visit - don't forget to take a short drive into the town of Lamoille and have a drink or dinner at the Pine Lodge or O'Carroll's. Stay at the Ruby 360 Lodge or Hotel Lamoille.
Remember to Leave no Trace and enjoy one of the most amazing parts of Nevada.
Thomas Canyon - looking at Mount Fitzgerald in the background.
Fall
End of the road parking lot - trail up to Dollar Lakes
Along the scenic byway
Right Fork Canyon
Looking North towards Spring Creek
End of the road steps
