Ruby Mountains Wilderness, Protected wilderness area in Elko County, Nevada.
Ruby Mountains Wilderness is a protected area near Elko covering roughly 90,000 acres with granite peaks, alpine lakes, and U-shaped valleys. The landscape displays evidence of ancient glacial activity that carved the terrain into its current form.
The area gained protected status through the Nevada Wilderness Protection Act in 1989, marking an important milestone for conservation in the state. This designation secured long-term preservation of the mountain ecosystem.
The Shoshoni people named these mountains Duka Doya, meaning snowcapped, reflecting the enduring presence of snow throughout the seasons.
The area is crossed by the Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail, offering over 30 miles of hiking across multiple access points and remote lakes. Visitors should prepare for elevation changes and variable conditions throughout their journey.
The area supports one of Nevada's largest mule deer populations and a thriving colony of introduced Himalayan snowcocks. These animal populations came from past introduction programs that expanded the region's wildlife diversity.
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