Did you know that Nevada is home to over 300 mountain ranges, making it the most mountainous state in the continental U.S.? Among these, the Ruby Mountains near Elko stand out for their stunning beauty. A hike to Lamoille, Liberty, and Favre Lakes rewards you with breathtaking mountain vistas, sparkling alpine lakes, and vibrant wildflowers in season. The hiking adventure begins with an easy approach via the picturesque 12-mile-long Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway, a twisting drive that offers its own impressive views along the way.
Summer and early fall are the only times that the Lamoille Canyon National Scenic Byway is open. This area gets hit hard with snow. In fact, we ran into a few patches of snow in September below Liberty Pass. To give you an idea of how much snow there is, consider the fact that the Ruby 360 Lodge is nearby. It’s a Heli-ski lodge in winter but also a great base for hiking in summer and fall.
While the hike to Dollar Lake, Lamoille Lake, Liberty Lake, and Favre Lakes is exceptional, you must go prepared. You’ll reach an altitude at Liberty Pass of 10,450 feet and If you’re not used to altitude, you’ll feel it!
Keep reading to learn what to expect on the hike to these four scenic lakes in the heart off Nevada’s Ruby Mountains. For me the full day hike was magical, and the experience exceeded all expectations.
The Gateway to Lamoille, Liberty and Favre Lakes: Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway
Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway is worth a drive, even if you’re not a hiker. From Elko, Nevada it takes only one hour to drive to the end of the canyon and reach the trailhead for the hike to the lakes.
Along the twisting scenic byway enjoy towering granite cliffs, wildflower-dotted meadows, and views of the surrounding peaks. The last few miles are the best. Don’t miss a chance to gawk at the Ruby Dome – the highest peak in the Ruby Mountains.
Everyone will enjoy the drive up to the end of Lamoille Canyon. And even if you’re not much of a hiker, you could still head for Dollar Lake – an easy 3.4-mile round-trip hike that will give you a taste of the fabulous Ruby Mountains scenery.
Summary of the hike to Dollar Lake, Lamoille Lake, Liberty Lake and Favre Lake
Total distance to Favre Lake return: Approximately 14.9 miles. You can turn around at any lake and shorten the distance.
Elevation gain: About 2,893 feet.
Time needed: 5 – 7 hours depending on how many stops you make and your hiking pace.
High point: Liberty Pass at 10,450 feet
Dogs: Allowed on a leash.
Map: I’d recommend that you download Organic Maps. Download the Nevada maps while you have a cell signal.
Don’t forget: Pack the 10 hiking essentials.
Please: Practice the 7 Leave No Trace principles. This is a pristine area, and it would be great to keep it that way for all to enjoy. Pack out everything you pack in.
Camping: Yes, in the backcountry. See the bottom of the post.
The hike to Dollar, Lamoille, Liberty and Favre Lakes
When John and I did the hike to Dollar, Lamoille, Liberty and Favre Lakes we did it mostly as an out and back hike, with the addition of a loop around Favre Lake. We also took the stock trail back to the parking lot from Lamoille Lake instead of returning via the Dollar Lakes.
You can go as far as you want on the hike and simply retrace your steps when you’ve had enough. I’d recommend Lamoille Lake at a minimum unless you have very young kids. It’s a great place to hang out and the perfect place for a quick dip and a picnic on a hot day.
My favourite of the four lakes is Liberty Lake. The colour and setting will dazzle you. If you’ve run out of juice retrace your steps from here. The hike to Favre Lake isn’t difficult, but it will add at least 75 minutes of hiking and a lot of elevation gain when you’re probably starting to tire.
1. Dollar Lake: A short but beautiful introduction to the Ruby Mountains
Distance: 3.4 miles round trip as an out and back hike.
Difficulty: Easy and great for young families.
Elevation gain: 912 feet
Time needed: 2 hours return.
Pick up the Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail at the end of Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway where you’ll see a map and a trailhead sign. The trail climbs quickly, so with the altitude be sure to take lots of short breaks. Start off hiking through colourful subalpine meadows progressing to rock underfoot.
In no time, you’ll be treated to some sweeping views of Lamoille Canyon below and the peaks of the Ruby Mountains above. The effort to reward ratio on this short hike is very high.
The Dollar Lakes hike is ideal for families or for those of you who just want a taste of an alpine lake in the Ruby Mountains. It’s also a good one for photographers. And if you’re keen, it’s not much further to Lamoille Lake – and then you’re into some seriously good mountain and lake scenery.
2. Lamoille Lake: A step further into the wilderness
Distance: From the parking lot it’s 4.0 miles round trip. and it’s a further 0.5 miles from the first of the Dollar Lakes.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: Add another 36 feet from the Dollar Lakes. Total elevation is approximately 950 feet from the parking lot.
Time needed: 10 -15 minutes from the Dollar Lakes.
From Dollar Lake, the trail continues up to Lamoille Lake, just a half mile away. There isn’t a lot of elevation gain as you continue through a landscape filled with grasses and pine trees. Lamoille Lake is larger and in a more dramatic setting than the Dollar Lakes.
When you arrive at Lamoille Lake, you’re greeted with stunning views of a white granite ridge and a very clear blue-green lake. Reportedly you can primitive camp along the shores of Lamoille Lake. It’s a popular spot to visit and a good place to hang out.
While we didn’t see or hear any, this lake is also good place to listen for and spot pikas and marmots.
3. Liberty Lake: An alpine gem in the Ruby Mountains
Distance: Add approximately 2.1 miles from Lamoille Lake to the Liberty Lake campsite. Total round trip is about 12.2 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Elevation Gain: +1,168 feet/-850 feet from Lamoille Lake or approximately 6.1 miles and 2,118 feet from the parking lot.
I think Liberty Lake is take-your-breath away beautiful. The great thing about it is that you can see it about 5 – 10 minutes after climbing Liberty Pass. You don’t have to continue to the far end of Liberty Lake to enjoy it.
Liberty Lake sits at almost 10,000 feet, so it’s definitely a harder place to get to. I did find the trail from Lamoille to Liberty Lake was very well built with lots of switchbacks to help mitigate the elevation gain, but I was breathing hard.
When you get close to 10,450 foot Liberty Pass, enjoy sweeping vistas of the Ruby Mountain range. From Liberty Pass the trail descends to an airy viewpoint over the lake. For many people this will be a great place to turn around.
If you’re keen to keep going you’ll find the trail parallel to the lake easy to follow and in about 15 minutes you’ll arrive at the campground. Because of the difficulty in getting here, you’ll probably be able to enjoy a quiet experience. We did see one fisherman and a fellow hiker hanging out and enjoying the scenery.
4. Favre Lake: Off the beaten track
Distance: Add approximately another 2.7 miles or 4.3 km as a loop hike from Liberty Lake. Total distance return from the parking lot is roughly 14.9 miles.
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation Gain: +/- 775 feet from Liberty Lake. From the parking lots the elevation gain is approximately 2,893 feet.
Once you get past Liberty Lake, you’ll lose people and chances are high you won’t see another soul. You can do a loop hike from Liberty Lake – and you will see signage near Liberty Lake pointing you in the right direction. We did the loop in a counterclockwise direction, first going west and then southeast. In September the trail was particularly beautiful with all the grasses a beautiful shade of red.
After crossing the intersection of the Rubies Route trail, we descended to Favre Lake and took a break on the shores. John and I contemplated the short but stiff climb up to Castle Lake – which you can see on the descent but nixed it as it would be a long hot hike back to the parking lot.
Swimming in Favre Lake
We enjoyed a quick dip to cool off in Favre Lake – but after reading that there are leeches in this lake, I’d stick to a swim in Liberty Lake.
We saw a couple of tents near Favre Lake – possibly Rubies Route backpackers. Who knows? The landscape around Favre Lake feels untouched as it sees a fraction of the foot traffic that Liberty Lake gets. It would be a great spot for a peaceful overnight camping trip
Practical tips for hiking to Lamoille. in the Ruby Mountains
Hiking in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains is a rewarding experience, but it’s essential to be prepared. Here are some tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Best time to hike to Lamoille, Liberty and Favre Lakes
Plan to hike from late June into early September. The snow needs to melt to the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway is open. Expect to run into snow on the trails early in the hiking season. We hiked the around the second week of September and found the temperatures to still be very warm – and the landscape was pretty with fall colours.
The weather can change quickly in the mountains, so it’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast beforehand.
What to bring on the hike
Apart from packing the 10 hiking essentials, I’d encourage you to bring more water than you think you need because you’re at altitude. Consider packing some water purification tablets or a filter in case you run low.
Snacks are a good idea too – both sweet for energy and salty for adding back electrolytes.
Pack a wind-proof coat, a sunhat or ball cap, and some extra layers as the minute the sun goes down in this part of Nevada, it gets cold.
Some of you might want hiking poles to help – especially if there is any snow around. In Canada, I always recommend packing microspikes early in the season to deal with trails that are icy and or snow-covered.
I always like to carry a headlamp – as I don’t like to just rely on the light on my phone. In my experience, it’s not nearly bright enough.
Wildlife
It’s always a thrill for me to see any type of wildlife. On the hike to Lamoille, Liberty and Favre Lake you may see mountain goats, mule deer, marmots, and/or pikas. Be respectful of animals and always leave them space.
Camping at Lamoille, Liberty and Favre Lake
There is backcountry camping without any services at Lamoille, Liberty and Favre Lakes. No permits are required. Liberty Lake is a popular camping destination – as it’s pretty and there is lots of flat ground for your tent, but as you can see below, the lake can’t handle a lot of visitors. There are fewer flat spots near Favre Lake, but I don’t think it sees a lot of traffic.
The Ruby Mountains with their clear night skies make for some first-rate stargazing whether you’re at Lamoille, Liberty or Favre Lake.
I didn’t see any pit toilets – and if that is really the case, be sure to bury your waste a long way away from the campground and pack out toilet paper. Bring some rope to hang your food or you may find the chipmunks have availed themselves of it. Don’t forget a water filter. Be a considerate camper, keeping noise down after 10 PM and don’t play music.
Conclusion re: the Ruby Mountains hike to Lamoille, Liberty and Favre Lake
I can’t say enough great things about the hike to Dollar Lake, Lamoille Lake, Liberty Lake and Favre Lake. All are home to some of the best alpine scenery you’ll find in the Ruby Mountains. It’s a full day’s hike if you include Favre Lake, but if you have the wherewithal, I highly recommend it. Each lake has a different personality, and all are worth a visit.
Hiking off the end of the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway gives a sense of the rugged beauty of the “Swiss Alps of Nevada.” There is literally a hike for everyone in Ruby Mountains, whether you’re a beginner day hiker or a seasoned backpacker. I hope you enjoy Lamoille Lake, Liberty Lake and Favre Lake as much as I did.
**A big thank you to Travel Nevada for hosting John and I. What a treat it was to explore the Ruby Mountain range.**
More reading on hiking in Nevada and Utah
How to Hike Wheeler Peak – Nevada’s 2nd Highest Summit
Best Hikes in Snow Canyon State Park, Utah
Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch Hike
Coyote Buttes South – A Great Alternative to The Wave
The Devil’s Garden Hike in Arches National Park
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