Another Ruby Mountain Peak - Verdi Peak (11,077')

A week after my first foray on a Ruby Mountain peak, Dylan and Nicole invited me to join them on a return trip to the Rubies.  The plan was, a backpack to Verdi Lake and a climb of Verdi Peak.  Rather than an overnighter, I decided to join them for the day.

We met up Friday evening at the Star Hotel, in Elko, for a Basque dinner.  The 30 odd people standing out front had us thinking of going somewhere else, and the lack of masks convinced us to go.  

After a nice meal, at Odeh's Mediterranean, (where most of the patrons had masks), we made the short drive up Lamoille Canyon in the waning light looking for a place to park.  We found a relatively level place just off the road and prepared our beds in the back of our respective cars.  Ahhh, to live like I'm 20 again! 

After a decent night's sleep (I was pleasantly surprised) and a quick breakfast, we were heading up through the thick aspens toward Verdi Peak.

Our route

Active beavers in the area

The "trail" was slightly brushy

Once through the aspens, the going steepened as we picked our way through the sagebrush and slide alder.

The head of Lamoille Canyon

We continued Northeast, gaining altitude quickly. It was steep!  I was glad Dylan and Nicole had backpacks, as it allowed me to stay close to them.  That or they just slowed down to make the old guy feel good.

The granite made for easy walking

We hit our first ridge at 9900 feet and stopped for a quick break to discuss the route and soak in the amazing views.

Looking back up Lamoille Canyon

And back down the canyon

We continued angling upward along the base of Verdi Peak to the 10,800' saddle above Verdi Lake.

One of Verdi Peak's summits

Me picking my way toward the saddle (DFadgen photo)

Once at the saddle, we dropped our packs and continued up toward the summit.

Nicole enjoying the view while Dylan checks the rock quality

Nicole heading up.

We stopped at the closest (Northern) summit first and carefully climbed the exposed summit block.  From this vantage point, the southern summit looked slightly higher so we walked over and scrambled up it as well.  From this vantage point the Northern summit looked higher...

A little shaky here (DFadgen photo)

Southern summit Splattski

After a short time enjoying the summit views, we climbed back down to our packs and then picked our way down to Verdi lake.  Surprisingly, there was no one else at the lake.  

Once at the lake, Dylan pulled out the two fishing poles he'd brought and quickly set them up.  After all, the two of them were planning on spending the night and needed something for dinner.

While the two of them fished, I wandered around a bit before kicking back to watch.  After a while Dylan caught a nice trout on his fly rod.  He mentioned that it was probably the biggest high mountain lake trout he'd ever caught, but I think this trout from Goat Lake in 2007 might be as big. 

He hasn't changed a bit!

Nicole even got in the action. (DFadgen photo)

After lunch, I bid the two of them goodbye and started back.  It didn't take long to climb the 600 feet to the saddle and an hour and a half later I was back at the car enjoying a slightly cold Angel Creek Amber Ale.

Looking back up at Verdi Peak (DFadgen photo)

Stats:

Distance: ~ 5 miles

Elevation: 2700' up, 600' on the return climb