Lamoille Canyon Backcountry Road

Lamoille Canyon Backcountry Road climbs from 6,000 feet in the Humboldt River valley to over 10,000 feet at Ruby Crest, making it one of Nevada’s most dramatic elevation gains in 20 miles. The route follows the old Elko to Ruby Valley freight road past the ruins of the Liberty Bell mine and through aspen groves that explode gold in September. Beyond the pavement’s end at Road’s End Trailhead, the track becomes a steep, rocky 4WD challenge with switchbacks carved into granite talus slopes.

This is expert-level terrain in the upper reaches, demanding low-range crawling over boulder fields and precise navigation around cliff edges with no guardrails. Stock high-clearance 4WD handles the lower sections, but serious rock sliders and skid plates are essential above 9,000 feet. Access is limited to July through September due to snow. No services exist beyond Elko, 24 miles east. The reward is camping beside alpine lakes that few people see and views across the entire Great Basin. Have a dirty day.