Lamoille Canyon Road's End
Ruby Mountains, Nevada · 8,789 ft
Aspen pockets and maple fill a U-shaped glacial trough walled by 10,000-foot Ruby Mountain ridges. Road's End sits in the cirque at the top, where the color runs up the side gullies.
Typical peak
Sep 14 – Sep 22
Long range. Treat as a planning estimate only.
Best light
Best at sunrise
Crowds
moderate
Fills up mid-morning. Arriving for first light is usually enough.
Getting there
From Elko take NV-227 to Lamoille, then follow Lamoille Canyon Road 12 paved miles to the Road's End parking area at the top.
What turns here
- quaking aspen
- rocky mountain maple
- willow
Color progression
Typical peak Sep 18Typical color progression for Lamoille Canyon Road's End. No change from Aug 11 to Aug 28. First color from Aug 28 to Sep 6. Approaching peak from Sep 6 to Sep 14. Peak from Sep 14 to Sep 22. Past peak from Sep 22 to Oct 2. Bare from Oct 2 to Oct 16.
Color starts around Aug 28.
Light at peak
Lamoille Canyon Road's End on September 18, the day it typically peaks. Knowing when color arrives is one thing. Knowing where the sun will be is another.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 5:57 AM |
| Sunrise Rises E · 87° | 6:25 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 36 min of low, warm light | 7:01 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 12:35 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 36 min before sunset | 6:10 PM |
| Sunset Sets W · 273° | 6:46 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 7:13 PM |
Times in America/Los Angeles · day length 12h 21m · computed from NOAA solar equations
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises E, sets W.
Aim within 45° of those and the canopy glows translucent. Turn your back to them for flat, accurate color.
Location pages name the light directly.
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.