Nevada: Discover the Ruby Mountains
Explore “Nevada’s Swiss Alps” on foot.
What Is It? Nevada has a lot more to offer than the lights, casinos, and showgirls of Las Vegas. Take your time getting to know some of its more natural features with a day hike or backpacking journey through the rarely visited Ruby Mountains, located 20 miles south of Elko in northeastern Nevada. Thru-hike the 42-mile Ruby Crest Trail, which traverses the Rubies north to south and is the longest trail in the range. Or choose from a variety of shorter trails (3 to 15 miles round-trip) leading up to canyons and alpine lakes, over mountaintops, around mining remnants, or to an old water flume.
Why Do It? A visit to “Nevada’s Swiss Alps” comes with countless rewards. Within this isolated, untouched territory you’ll find ten peaks over 10,000 feet, more than 20 lakes, 900,000 acres of wilderness, and the rare commodity of solitude. You won’t have to compete for campsites with many people, but you will share the landscape with Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mountain lions, wild turkey, and the Himalayan snowcock, a bird native to mountain ranges in Central Asia. The Rubies are the only place in the U.S. where this transplanted bird lives.
Make It Happen: For the definitive guidebooks about the area visit Gray Jay Press. For trail and guide information visit the Ruby Mountains Express website.
See all the summer weekend adventures.
More: See America’s 100 Best Adventures and Long Weekends Like a Local
***
50 Best Summer Weekend Adventures: Great adventures are all around us—and summer is the ideal time to seek them. To give you some ideas and inspiration, every weekday we will be sharing a different U.S. summer weekend adventure, state-by-state from A to Z. We invite you to share your favorite summer weekend adventures in the comments section below when your favorite state is featured. Report back after the weekend to tell us about the outdoor adventures you had.
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- Orangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first timeOrangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first time
- What La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planetsWhat La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planets
- This fungus turns cicadas into zombies who procreate—then dieThis fungus turns cicadas into zombies who procreate—then die
- How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?
Environment
- What La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planetsWhat La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planets
- How fungi form ‘fairy rings’ and inspire superstitionsHow fungi form ‘fairy rings’ and inspire superstitions
- Your favorite foods may not taste the same in the future. Here's why.Your favorite foods may not taste the same in the future. Here's why.
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
History & Culture
- Meet the ruthless king who unified the Kingdom of Hawai'iMeet the ruthless king who unified the Kingdom of Hawai'i
- Hawaii's Lei Day is about so much more than flowersHawaii's Lei Day is about so much more than flowers
- When treasure hunters find artifacts, who gets to keep them?When treasure hunters find artifacts, who gets to keep them?
Science
- Why ovaries are so crucial to women’s health and longevityWhy ovaries are so crucial to women’s health and longevity
- Orangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first timeOrangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first time
Travel
- A slow journey around the islands of southern VietnamA slow journey around the islands of southern Vietnam
- Is it possible to climb Mount Everest responsibly?Is it possible to climb Mount Everest responsibly?
- 5 of Uganda’s most magnificent national parks
- Paid Content
5 of Uganda’s most magnificent national parks