LIBERTY PASS

The trail passes through a variety of meadow, forest, and rocky habitats. In the wet meadows and forests near the trailhead we found Aconitum columbianum, Calochortus eurycarpus, Helianthella quinquenervis, Aquilegia formosa, Lewisia triphylla, and Ranunculus eschscholtzii.  About the first of August, Primula parryi was flowering abundantly in two locations, one rockpile and one streambed.

Above Lamoille Lake, the trail ascends more steeply on open, rocky hillsides.  Boykinia heucheriformis is found here, along with the buffalo berry, Shepherdia canadensis. Approaching Liberty Pass, the alpine cushion plants make their appearance:  Astragalus kentrophyta, Eriogonum kingii, Smelowskia calycina, and Silene acaulis.  The pass itself is a broad saddle; a fine place for lunch overlooking Liberty Lake to the south

For a detailed trail description with scenic photos, visit rubymountains.net .

“Montane Islands in a Desert Sea” by Theodore Cochrane in Rock Garden Quarterly, Spring 2002, 60:1.

Hiker’s Guide – Trails in the Elko Area, and Ruby Mountains Visitor Guide, both by Larry Hyslop

(grayjaypress.com/hiking.htm) .

Ruby Mountain Flora, by Steve Anderson et. al. (www.museum-elko.us), a popular wildflower guide, is somewhat useful