parks and recreation

A collection of diverse, scenic places where you and the family can conquer Cowboy Country.

By CHARLIE JOHNSTON | May/June 2011

Exciting and awe-inspiring wilderness rules the day in Northern Nevada’s Cowboy Country. From remote wildlife refuges to rugged mountains and wild, untamed trails, it’s easy to see how this dramatic territory earned its name. Whether it’s rattling down Winnemucca’s Bloody Shins (mountain bike) Trail, casting a line into trout-filled South Fork Reservoir, or hiking and scaling peaks in the Jarbidge Wilderness, Cowboy Country provides destinations to suit any outdoor enthusiast.

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LAMOILLE CANYON

Thousands of years ago, the massive glaciers that once clung to northeastern Nevada’s Ruby Mountains gouged a gaping path through the range. Melted by changing climate, the glaciers left in their wake a chasm so awe-inspiring that it has been likened to California’s Yosemite Valley. The comparison is apt—Lamoille Canyon is home to towering granite cliffs, pristine alpine scenery, and graceful waterfalls.

The gateway to the Ruby Mountains is a perennial favorite among locals and visitors for its varied and abundant options for outdoor recreation and easy access via the 13-mile Lamoille Canyon Road Scenic Byway (open to snowmobiles and ATVs only during the winter).

Hikers, backpackers, and hunters will find access to numerous mountain trails, including the 37-mile epic Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail, and anglers are fond of the many alpine lakes and streams to be found in the area. Technical climbers can take on many granite routes mere minutes from the scenic byway. In winter, the canyon is a favorite among snowmobilers, backcountry and cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and even ice climbers.

Picnic and scenic spots through the canyon include Roads End, Powerhouse Group Picnic Area, and Terraces, which are great for trail access, and Thomas Canyon Campground includes 40 campsites, 10 of which are designated for RVs.

CONTACTS
Elko Convention & Visitors Authority
700 Moren Way, Elko
exploreelko.com
800-248-3556

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Ruby Mountain Ranger District
140 Pacific Ave., Wells
fs.usda.gov/htnf
775-752-3357

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JARBIDGE WILDERNESS

Nevada’s first designated wilderness area is also renowned as one of its finest. The remote Jarbidge Wilderness, established in 1964, encompasses more than 113,000 acres of some of the most untouched land in the lower 48 states. The many aspects of northeastern Nevada are displayed at their best, from snow-clad peaks reaching as high as the 10,839-foot Matterhorn—not to be confused with its European cousin, though impressive nonetheless—to alpine forests, cottonwood-filled canyons, and sagebrush flats.

Recreation opportunities in the region run the gamut in all seasons from backpacking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, hunting, and nearby off-roading in summer and fall to snowmobiling and backcountry and cross-country skiing in winter and spring.

Access to the isolated wilderness is limited by the fact that no paved roads reach the Jarbidge area. Some services are available in the equally remote town of Jarbidge, but most visitors stock up on supplies in Elko or Wells. Photo: Dini Esplin

CONTACT
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Jarbidge Ranger District
140 Pacific Ave., Wells
fs.usda.gov/htnf
775-752-3357

WORTH A CLICK
jarbidge.org

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OFF-ROAD TRAILS

Northern Nevada probably has more miles of dirt roads than paved ones. Some are as flat and smooth as a rural driveway, some are jumbles of rocks and nail-biting technical terrain, and others are only navigable by mountain bike. Whatever your skill level and means of conveyance, a trail to suit your taste awaits in Cowboy Country territory.

Elko County is a veritable off-road Shangri-La, with trails catering to 4x4 trucks, ATVs, and mountain bikes. Just miles from the Elko city limits, Hamilton Bullion Trail follows the historic Hamilton Stagecoach Line and is appropriate for novice to intermediate riders. Harrison Pass, 42 miles south of Elko, offers trails for all descriptions of motorized and non-motorized off-highway vehicles and drivers and riders of all skill levels. A big draw to the trails around Harrison Pass is that they offer great views of the nearby Ruby Valley and Ruby Mountains.

Spruce Mountain, 37 miles south of Wells, also has routes for all kinds of gas- and human-powered vehicles. Trails in the region are appropriate for all skill levels and climb through white fir forests, along ridge tops, and past historic mining towns. The Sunflower Flats/Merritt Mountain trail, north of Wild Horse Reservoir, offers gentle terrain for the family. Many of the Elko area’s off-road destinations play double duty as wintertime snowmobiling stops.

Not to be outdone, Humboldt County offers off-road enthusiasts numerous options for stirring up some dust as well. Just east of the Winnemucca city limits, one of Nevada’s most talked about mountain-biking destinations—the Bloody Shins Trail—offers single tracks for riders from beginner to advanced. Hinkey Summit, in the Santa Rosa Range near the town of Paradise Valley, is popular among off-highway vehicle enthusiasts in warmer months and snowmobilers in winter.

Sand-seekers won’t want to miss the Winnemucca Sand Dunes, 10 miles north of town on U.S. Highway 95. The largest dune field in Nevada offers sand trails and open dunes to ATV and motorcycle riders. A large camping area provides ample space for weekend adventurers. Photo: Kristin Boag

CONTACTS
Elko Convention & Visitors Authority
700 Moren Way, Elko
exploreelko.com
800-248-3556

Winnemucca Convention & Visitors Authority
50 W. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca
winnemucca.com
800-962-2638

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RUBY LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

The centerpiece of the nearly 40,000-acre Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge—the lake—is not technically a lake at all, but rather a vast open-water marsh. Fed by more than 200 springs along the base of the nearby Ruby Mountains, the refuge’s wetlands serve the Pacific and Central Flyways, providing a crucial stop for migratory birds, making it a prime destination for birdwatchers. Ruby Lake is also a vital nesting area for canvasback and redhead ducks, Canada geese, and other waterfowl. The area is designated as an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society.

The refuge’s waterways are home to robust populations of largemouth bass and rainbow trout—in February, the refuge produced the largest rainbow ever pulled from Nevada waters. Anglers constitute the vast majority of visitors, a testament to the quality of fishing.

The nearby South Ruby Campground, operated by the U.S. Forest Service, is a good home base for fishing and bird-watching at Ruby Lake and hunting in the Ruby Mountains.

CONTACT
Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge
fws.gov/rubylake
775-779-2237

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RYE PATCH STATE RECREATION AREA

Rye Patch Reservoir—the centerpiece of the State Recreation Area of the same name—is a popular fishing, boating, camping, and watersports destination between Lovelock and Winnemucca on Interstate 80. Home to some of the best windsurfing in Nevada, it also sees its share of water-skiers.

Spring and early summer are typically the best times to fish Rye Patch for crappie, wipers, white and black bass, and walleye, and fall is prime season for catfish. Nearly 50 designated campsites include flush toilets and hot showers, and primitive boat and four-wheel-drive accessible campsites are also available.

CONTACT
Rye Patch State Recreation Area
2505 Rye Patch Reservoir Road, Lovelock
parks.nv.gov/rp.htm
775-538-7321

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SHELDON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Established in 1936 primarily to protect the pronghorn antelope that abound in the region, Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge is home to narrow gorges, sweeping steppe terrain, and a great abundance of wildlife. In addition to antelope, the area is home to bighorn sheep, mule deer, and sage grouse and is among Nevada’s most prized hunting grounds. Several fishing holes and seasonal reservoirs provide good trout, bass, and crappie fishing.

Perhaps the most impressive feature of Sheldon is the nearly five-mile-long Thousand Creek Gorge—northwestern Nevada’s answer to the Grand Canyon—with towering 1,000-foot walls and rugged jumbles of rock blocking its inner reaches from all but the most intrepid of backcountry travelers. The photo above was taken at the western mouth of the gorge.

Numerous primitive campgrounds ensure ample space for visitors. Virgin Valley Campground is open year-round and includes pit toilets, picnic tables, drinking water, a warm springs pool, and rustic shower house.

For an extensive story about the refuge, find “Wild Nevada” at nevadamagazine.com/issues/read/wild_nevada.

CONTACT
Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge
fws.gov/refuges
775-941-0199

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SOUTH FORK STATE RECREATION AREA

One of the Elko area’s prized outdoor escapes is South Fork State Recreation Area, about 16 miles south of the city via State Routes 227 and 228. The 1,650-acre reservoir and surrounding 2,200 acres of meadows and rolling hills are popular for boating, camping, fishing, ice fishing, hiking, hunting, picnicking, swimming, water-skiing, and wildlife viewing. Trophy-class trout and bass are regularly pulled from the lake.

The recreation area’s recently renovated campground includes 25 sites with shade structures and windscreens, showers, and two new group sites. Photo: Carol Petrie

CONTACT
South Fork State Recreation Area
353 Lower South Fork Unit 8, Spring Creek
parks.nv.gov/sf.htm
775-744-4346

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WILD HORSE STATE RECREATION AREA

Tiny 140-acre Wild Horse State Recreation Area sits on the northeastern shore of the reservoir of the same name. A popular camping, boating, fishing, ice fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling destination, Wild Horse is 65 miles north of Elko via State Route 225.

Fishing draws the most visitors, and the reservoir has abundant populations of brown and rainbow trout, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and catfish. Hunters visit the area mainly for pronghorn antelope, mule deer, grouse, chukar, and various waterfowl. Although named for mustangs, the area is no longer home to any wild horses.
The campground has 33 sites with tables, fire pits, and camp pads and includes showers, restrooms, a dump station, and a visitor’s center.

CONTACT
Wild Horse State Recreation Area
parks.nv.gov/wh.htm
775-758-6493