|
Humboldt
| Established: |
1908 | Note: Ruby Mountains Forest Reserve established by Presidential Proclamation May 3, 1906. Independence Forest Reserve established by Presidential Proclamation, November 5, 1906. Independence and Ruby Mountains National Forests consolidated to form Humboldt National Forest by EO 908, July 2, 1908, effective July 1, 1908. Santa Rosa National Forest established by Presidential Proclamation 1120, April 1, 1911. Portion of Humboldt redesignated Ruby National Forest by Presidential Proclamation 1202, June 19, 1912. Humboldt absorbed Ruby and Santa Rosa National Forests by EO 2631, June 6, 1917, effective July 1, 1917. Santa Rosa Division transferred to Toiyabe National Forest by EO 7884, May 9, 1938; returned to Humboldt by Public Land Order 740, August 3, 1951, effective July 1, 1951. Humboldt acquired land from Nevada National Forest, 1957 |
| Location: |
Northeast Nevada |
| Acres: |
2,482,153 |
The Humboldt National Forest could be
more aptly called Humboldt National Desert. A broad
expanse of cactus and sagebrush with trees growing only
at higher elevations. Where the desert transforms into a
thin cover of pine and aspen with ancient bristlecones
growing on the steep slopes. The
oldest living things on earth, these bristlecone pines
have been carbon dated at 4,600 years old.
The shallow mountain streams of Humboldt are home to rainbow, brook,
and cutthroat trout. Larger wildlife such as mountain goats,
bighorn sheep, elk, deer, cougars, and golden eagles can also be found in the mountains.
Once an area full of prospectors there are numerous old
mining towns spread throughout Humboldt. The land
is rich in mineral deposits. Rock collectors frequently
find agate, garnet, jasper, and turquoise while a few
prospectors still roam the territory for gold and
silver. Humboldt continues to support commercial gold mining operations. Nevada is also home to one of the largest
concentrations of Basque sheep herders in America. They
are allowed to graze their flocks in Humboldt where
80,000 sheep can be seen roaming the boundaries of the National Forest.
Elko is the center of the Basque enclave where you can
enjoy the restaurants and culture of these people who
immigrated here from the Pyrenees of Northern Spain.
Humboldt's main scenic route is the paved Lamoille Scenic
Byway (Rt660) located just 20 miles southeast of Elko (view of Lamoille Canyon along the byway to the left). Riding the crest of the Ruby Mountains for 12
miles passing glaciated canyons, towering peaks, and beautiful clear mountain lakes. The road dead ends
near Island Lake in the Ruby Mountain Wilderness Area where hikers have access to the 40 mile long Ruby-Crest National Recreation trail.
The route is highlighted by the 1,000 foot cliffs cut by
Lamoille Creek. The Thomas Canyon Campground (40
sites, $6) on this road lies next to Lamoille Creek and is very scenic.
Throughout Humboldt there are a total
of 20 campgrounds with over 350 campsites that are open
from May through October. Most are adjacent streams
harboring rainbow and brook trout. Remnants of ghost
towns and prospector camps are nearby a few of these campgrounds.
Humboldt's Big Bend Campground has 15 sites ($4) and is located 16 mi NW of the intersection of Rts 225 and Rt 745. The ghost town of Gold Creek is located 5 miles S. of Big Bend on Rt 745. The Thomas Canyon Campground is a larger and more developed with 40 sites. It is located 30 miles SE of Elko
(from I-80 exit at Elko, then take Rt 227 for 25 miles to Rt 660 (the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway), take Rt 660 for 8 miles to the campground. The campsites are surrounded by aspen and cottonwood trees with the Lamoille Creek bordering the campground.
Humboldt National Forest, 2035 Last Chance Road, Elko, Nevada 89801 (702) 738-5171 (map courtesy of USFS).
fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/ and recreation.gov
Copyright ©1994-2005 Charles A. Read and ScenicUS. All Rights Reserved.
Please send any questions/ comments/ suggestions/ directly to
the author Charles A. Read
|
|