Lamoille Canyon Road's End
Ruby Mountains, Nevada · 8,789 ft
Typical peak
Sep 14 – Sep 22
low confidence in typical timing.
Best light
Best at sunrise
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.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Crowds
moderate
Often busier by mid-morning; consider arriving at first light.
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.
Leaves are typically down on Nov 1, 2026. Color starts around Aug 28.
This season so far
First frost
Oct 12
13 nights at or below 32°F since Aug 1.
Last 14 days
42°F / 30°F
Average daily high and low.
Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.
Plan the light
Lamoille Canyon Road's End on September 18, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.
| 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.
Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises E, sets W.
Aim within 45° of the sun for translucent leaves. Turn your back to it for flat, accurate color.
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.