Trails
The East Humboldt Wilderness is a virtual island of public land completely surrounded by private property. This limits access to this wilderness to three locations:
Angel Lake is the most accessible approach to the East Humboldt Wilderness. From the Angel Lake Road, two trails can be accessed:
The Greys Lake Trail- 5.3 miles. The trail leaves from just east of Angel Creek Campground at an elevation of 8300 feet and contours toward the north side of the range before climbing steeply up a series of switchbacks to cross over the range on a high ridge at an elevation of 9100 feet. From here the trail descends briefly into upper Burger Creek then contours around and over another 9400-foot ridge before dropping into upper Greys Creek and Greys Lake (8700 feet). An option for this trail is to access Smith Lake. From the Greys Lake Trailhead at the Angel Lake Campground hike ⅓ mile to a trail junction, which turns west and begins the steep, 700-foot climb climb to Smith Lake over the next .9 miles of rough trail. At 9100 feet, Smith Lake offers outstanding vistas of the distant, eastern Nevada landscape and spectacular views of the 10,000+ foot rugged peaks of the north end of the East Humboldt Mountains towering over the lake.
Winchell Lake Trail- 3 miles. This trail begins at an elevation of 7,700 feet, 1.77 miles below Angel Lake on the outside of a hairpin turn on the Angel Lake Road. Parking for this trailhead is available along a pull-out on the opposite side of the road, just above the turn. The gently climbing trail contours along the eastern slope of the East Humboldt Range presenting stunning views of the 10,000+ crest of the range towering above. Over the course of 3 miles the trail rises and falls, ultimately gaining 900 feet to reach Winchell Lake (8,600 feet). Some maps indicate the trail continues south of Winchell Lake to Lizzies Basin. Do not count on this later portion of trail existing or being passible.
Lizzies Basin/Weeks Access is not technically a trail, but is an access that is used by visitors to climb Hole-In-the-Mountain Peak , the 11,306 high point of the East Humboldt Range. Drive south on US 93 from Wells, Nevada for 5.25 miles, and take a right on signed SR 232 west. At just over 8.5 miles from the junction of US 95 and SR 232 you will reach a dirt road signed "USFS Weeks Access.", follow this route to the west. The access road crosses 2.8 miles of private property until you reach USFS land. Please respect this property and do not camp here. A standard car should not have problems following these 2.8 miles to USFS property. Once you reach USFS property (elevation: 6800 feet) the road becomes rocky and very steep. To cover these last 1.5 miles and 1500 feet, you will have to walk or drive a high clearance and 4WD vehicle. Now that you've entered USFS land, continue up this "main" road for another 1.5 miles and gain 1500 feet of elevation. The road ends at 8,400 feet and a small trail heads up the slope in front of you. Hole-In-the-Mountain Peak is slightly northwest of the end of the road, about 1.45 miles as the eagle soars and a nearly 3,000-climb. There is no trail and safety on this climb is the responsibility of the visitor. Do not attempt this extremely strenuous climb without strong backcountry navigation and route finding skills. Hole-In-The-Mountain Peak has 4849 feet of prominence and is the 11th most prominent Nevada Peak.
BouldersTrail Access allows visitors to explore the most remote section of the East Humboldt Wilderness, the four Boulders Creeks. This access offers visitors the option of a 23 mile round trip with side excursions to summit Humboldt Peak (11,020 feet) and possible a scramble over to the east side of the range to visit remote Steele Lake. From I-80 the Boulders Trail can be accessed by taking the Halleck, Ruby Valley exit (#321) and following SR 229 for 17.4 miles to the Secret-Starr trailhead. The first 4 miles of this trail are on an easement across private land- please respect the easement and stay on the indicated trail. After you enter forest service land again, the trail is not well defined and multiple routes make finding your way difficult. Plan to overnight and take your time while exploring this remote part of the East Humboldt Wilderness.