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| Island Lake with a view of Ruby Mountain peaks across Lamoille Canyon |
The Island Lake is a small alpine lake in the Ruby Mountains with a tiny green island at its center. This lake is easily accessible by hiking the Island Lake Trail that leads you out of the Lamoille Canyon to the scenic lake—1.6 to 2.0 miles one way (depending on who you ask or which reference you consult) [1-3].
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| Island Lake with a tiny, grassy island in its middle |
The lake is a glacial tarn set in a steep-walled basin of rock ridges and peaks.
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| Rock ridges west of Island Lake |
The trail is well-graded, making a gradual ascent. Various switchbacks lessen the gradient of your upslope adventure.
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| Southward view from Island Lake Trail: the end of Lamoille Canyon with parts of the Ruby Crest |
The first half of the trail offers scenic views of Lamoille Canyon. About half-way, a wooden bridge is crossing water streaming down into the canyon. In July this year, I found the bridge slightly damaged. But by holding on to the right-side railing, I felt safe to walk over the bridge.
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| Island Lake Trail: a timber bridge is crossing a picturesque flow of water |
The water pours down slabs of rock: a cascade of small aterfalls.
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| Waterfall |
Getting to the Island Lake Trailhead
The trailhead is located at the north end of the Lamoille Canyon parking lot, which is currently under reconstruction (July 2025). From Elko, take SR227 south 18 miles to the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway. The 12-mile-long paved byway leads through the northern Ruby range and terminates at the parking lot at 8,800 ft (2682.2 meter) elevation [3].
References
[1] Michael C. White. Nevada Wilderness Areas and Great Basin National Park. Wilderness Press, Berkeley, First Printing July 1997. Chapter 8. Trip 4, pp. 126-127.
[2] Island Lake (Nevada). Wikipedia. URL: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_Lake_(Nevada) (accessed July 30, 2025).
[3] Island Lake trailhead. Summit Post URL: www.summitpost.org/island-lake-trailhead/319859.
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