This was our first time visiting the Ruby Mountains and Lamoille Canyon in N. Nevada. There are two campgrounds in this section of the Ruby Mountains - the main one (and only one open at the end of June) is Thomas Canyon Campground, about a 45 minute drive from Elko. It is a hidden gem - a smallish campground with secluded, campsites, many of them situated along Thomas Creek or its tributary creeks. The beautiful canyon walls and cliffs loom above the campground and the sunset, alpen glow on the high peaks are nothing less than stunning.
We spent three enjoyable nights/two and half days at Thomas Canyon Campground. On our first morning, we hiked to Lamoille Lake on the stock trail (may be difficult for some hikers due to the multiple stream crossings and in late June, some snow fields). On our second morning, we hiked the easier trail to Island Lake, hoping to spot the elusive Himalayan Snowcock despite our late start. Both hikes are short ( a mile and half each way) but with considerable elevation gain (being acclimated to the higher elevations here is helpful). These glacier-carved small lakes above 8 ft elevations are scenic and well worth the effort. And, if one is familiar with any of the steep, switch-back trails on the flanks of the eastern Sierra Nevada, the Island Lake Trail at least is relatively easy in comparison.
We experienced thunder and lightning storms two of the three nights during our visit. Two locals we encountered on our hike to Island Lake commented that such rain events were a bit unusual. Fortunately, the days were sunny and not too hot during our stay.
One other factoid that might be surprising to some - there are no bears in the Ruby Mountains, or so we were told by others. Bears inhabiting areas to the north or south would have to cross large expanses of the Great Basin desert to get here without any appreciable sources of food. Hence, no need for storing food in bear lockers!
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