Mom and Dad's 60th Anniversary Dinner

Today we (Chuck, Sandy, Jordan, Andrew, Amanda, Kent and I) along with several of mom and dad's friends gathered for a great meal at Texas Roadhouse to celebrate mom and dad's 60th Anniversary. Dad reserved the new banquet room so we were had the place to ourselves. The food and service were great. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

Ruby Mountains

Not long ago we came across an article on Lamoille Canyon near Elko, Nevada. Neither of us had ever been to this area before; we are always up for a good adventure especially one that includes hiking new trails. We headed out on the back roads as we like to discover new places and stay off the beaten path. The drive to Elko was a long one, but well worth it for the scenery. The Ruby Mountains surpassed our expectations, it was unlike any place we have ever been! The trails were well marked and the switchbacks made the elevation gain seem like "a walk in the park," compared to some hikes we have taken. Even with the snow, we were able to hike farther than we had planned, 14.25 miles in all. The highlight was reaching seven alpine lakes, with the beautiful Liberty Lake being our favorite. In the past years we have climbed many high mountain peaks, so far in 2013 alpine lakes appear to be a new trend. No doubt about it, the Ruby Mountains are one of Nevada's hidden gems.

Hwy 93 and the East Humboldt Range

Barn at the Ruby Guard Station in Secret Valley

Sweet peas growing near the guard cabin

Lamoille Valley

Little Church of the Crosswords at Lamoille

Heading into the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Area

Towering summits and snow fed streams

Lamoille Creek

12 mile drive into this glacier carved canyon

Beyond Liberty Pass is Liberty Lake, Farve and Castle Lakes

Trail information

Starting out on the boardwalk at 8,800 ft.

Ruby Mountains are the wettest range in Nevada

We did stick to the trail as much as the snow would allow us

It's starting to look like winter, no that can't be . . . it's June

These ice crystals were melting along the trail, pretty neat to watch

Looking back towards the road and parking area

Pink moss along the trail

The first of the Dollar Lakes at 9,600 ft.

This is the second Dollar Lake

Hiking above Lamoille Lake

Leaving Lamoille Lake behind

Almost to Liberty Pass

We can't believe there's still this much snow at the top

Up on top of Liberty Pass 10,400 ft.

Wow! Our first glimpse of Liberty Lake

We made it and it's a beautiful lake

From here, you can see Castle lake in the distance

Lunch at the lake, we brought our own pizza

Crystal clear water, we could see the trout 10,039 ft.

We're feeling good, so we aren't stopping here

On to Farve Lake next

Farve Lake 9,500 ft.

At 9,783 ft. Castle Lake is above Farve Lake

There are no fish in Castle Lake, only a few pesky bugs so we didn't stay too long

Heading back along the Ruby Crest Trail

The cliffs made up of granite, quartz, marble and other minerals

Farve Lake is disappearing from view as we climb back up the trail

Back up on top and our last view of Liberty Lake before descending down the trail

A strange growth, looks like a brain

This was an interesting tree

We are almost back to the Trailhead, now we are feeling tired

A look at where we came from . . . 10.25 miles

Aerial view of our Ruby Mountain Lakes hike

Ranch in Pleasant Valley on the west side of the Ruby Mountains

The next morning we decided to hike into Island Lake

Heading up the trail

Water coming out of Island Lake

Island Lake

Forget-me-not growing near the lake

We had the lake to ourselves

Island Lake 9,672 ft.

On the way back down

Wildflowers along the mountainside

We didn't see anyone else until we were almost to the end of the trail

We stopped for a break along the Ruby Valley Road

Bressman cabin was constructed quite well

Flowers at the cabin

Interesting sign in the restroom . . .

A short foot trail stirred our curiosity

Cave Creek pours out of this cave, it is known to go back a long ways

Nice truck near the East Ely Nevada Train Station

Old wooden train car dates back to 1912

Handcar you can power yourself for $$

40 Rocky Mtn. Railroad Motor Car Operators were taking an excursion

This one has a surf board on top

We spotted these elk near Sacramento Pass

Only in Utah do cows ride on skateboards . . . we came across this on Hwy 21