The 33-mile long Ruby Crest National Recreational trail, which leads through the heart of the Ruby Mountain Wilderness and its high alpine lakes, has a new extension with The Wilderness Land Trust’s purchase of the 413-acre Murphy Creek parcel.  Friends of Nevada Wilderness helped to make this possible through individual contributions toward the purchase, and boy are we excited to share!

Murphy Creek Drainage in the Ruby Mountain Wilderness area

Murphy Creek runs out of the west side of the Ruby Mountain Wilderness outside of Elko, Nevada.   The Wilderness Land Trust recently purchased the parcel adjoining the creek and the access trail running along it.    The parcel adds a westward link to the Ruby Mountain Trail and completes the northern boundary of the wilderness area.    The creek drainage provides critical habitat for big horn sheep, mountain goat, and mule deer habitat.

The purchase was made possible with the financial assistance of two Nevada lenders.  Both supporters have been wilderness lovers for years and have spent countless hours assisting with wilderness stewardship, mapping and designation.   With the purchase, The Wilderness Land Trust has now protected over 1,000 acres of Nevada wilderness.

“The Trust would like to thank our Nevada lenders for their support and commitment to Nevada wilderness!” said David Kirk, Senior Land Specialist.  “This parcel will make an incredible addition to the Ruby Mountain Wilderness and remove any threats of development from the northern boundary of the wilderness.”

The Ruby Mountain Wilderness contains Lamoille Canyon, which is the signature canyon of the wilderness and is often compared to Yosemite Valley because of its dramatic granite canyon walls. 

Below is a map of the additions.

The Wilderness Land Trust

The Wilderness Land Trust is a small, highly specialized nonprofit organization established to buy and protect wilderness land. Since it was founded in 1992, the non-profit organization has preserved 373 parcels comprised of more than 37,000 acres of wilderness inholdings in 88 designated and proposed wilderness areas. The Wilderness Land Trust, a 501(c)(3) organization, has offices in California, Colorado and Washington State.  For more information visit our website www.wildernesslandtrust.org.

The Wilderness Land Trust is a 1% for the Planet Non-Profit Partner.  Visit www.onepercentfortheplanet.org for more information.