Hole in the Mountain Peak
Encyclopedia
Hole in the Mountain Peak is in the East Humboldt Range
in northeastern Nevada
, and is located 35 miles (56.3 km) east of Elko
and 14 miles (22.5 km) southwest of Wells
. The East Humboldts are separated from the Ruby Mountains
to the south by Secret Valley. Hole in the Mountain Peak is the highest point in the East Humboldt Wilderness
and the highest peak in the East Humboldts at 11306 feet (3,446 m). The U.S. Board on Geographic Names lists two variant names, Mount Bonpland and Mount Bonplant.
The arch called named Hole in the Mountain or Lizzie’s Window, is in the ridge about one third of a mile (0.3 mile (0.482802 km)) south of the summit at about 11127 feet (3,391.5 m). The window can be seen from both Interstate 80 on the west side of the mountains and from U.S. Route 93 between Wells and Ely
on the east side of the mountains.
Hiking or climbing to the window or to the peak can be attempted from either Starr Valley on the west side or from Clover Valley on the east side. Climbing to the window from Starr Valley is the easier of the two if approached from the basin right below the window. However the route to the basin is long, generally unmarked, and is best accomplished on horseback with an outfitter in the area. After reaching the basin the round trip to the window can usually be accomplished within two hours.
Climbing to the window from Clover Valley is considerably more difficult but the window is constantly in view and much closer which may give the difficulty factor a deceptive appearance. But, with an appropriate high clearance 4-WD vehicle, the hiking distance before starting the climb is much less than the hiking distance when starting from Starr Valley.
Clover Valley is reached by driving south from Wells on US Highway 93 and 5 miles (8 km) later turning onto State Route 232
to Clover Valley. Six miles (9.7 km) later look for the Week's Creek Canyon turnoff sign on the right. This is a public access road that will lead to Lizzie's Basin and farther into the mountain towards Hole in the Mountain basin. Continue as far up the two wheel track road as your vehicle will take you. There are no trails so you must determine your own best route up the mountain. It will be immediately apparent that any direct route to the window is a very difficult task, even dangerous.
Instead, make your way up to Hole in the Mountain Peak, located a short distance to the north and an easier climb, and then make the approach to the window from the west side of the mountain.
East Humboldt Range
The East Humboldt Range is a line of mountains in northeastern Nevada in the Great Basin region of the western United States. It located in central Elko County in the upper watershed of the Humboldt River, which flows to the southwest from its source just north of the range.The East Humboldts run...
in northeastern Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, and is located 35 miles (56.3 km) east of Elko
Elko, Nevada
Elko is a city in Elko County, Nevada, United States. The population was 18,297 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Elko County. The city straddles the Humboldt River....
and 14 miles (22.5 km) southwest of Wells
Wells, Nevada
Wells is a city in Elko County, in northeast Nevada in the western United States. The population was 1,346 at the 2000 census. Wells is located at the junction of U.S. Route 93 and Interstate 80, approximately east of Elko and is part of the Elko Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:The site...
. The East Humboldts are separated from the Ruby Mountains
Ruby Mountains
The Ruby Mountains comprise one of the many mountain ranges of the Great Basin in the western United States. They are the predominant range in Elko County, in the northeastern section of the state of Nevada. To the north is Secret Pass and the East Humboldt Range, and from there the Rubies run...
to the south by Secret Valley. Hole in the Mountain Peak is the highest point in the East Humboldt Wilderness
East Humboldt Wilderness
The East Humboldt Wilderness is a protected wilderness area in the East Humboldt Range of Elko County, in the northeast section of the state of Nevada in the western United States....
and the highest peak in the East Humboldts at 11306 feet (3,446 m). The U.S. Board on Geographic Names lists two variant names, Mount Bonpland and Mount Bonplant.
The arch called named Hole in the Mountain or Lizzie’s Window, is in the ridge about one third of a mile (0.3 mile (0.482802 km)) south of the summit at about 11127 feet (3,391.5 m). The window can be seen from both Interstate 80 on the west side of the mountains and from U.S. Route 93 between Wells and Ely
Ely, Nevada
Ely is the largest city and county seat of White Pine County, Nevada, United States. Ely was founded as a stagecoach station along the Pony Express and Central Overland Route. Ely's mining boom came later than the other towns along US 50, with the discovery of copper in 1906...
on the east side of the mountains.
Hiking or climbing to the window or to the peak can be attempted from either Starr Valley on the west side or from Clover Valley on the east side. Climbing to the window from Starr Valley is the easier of the two if approached from the basin right below the window. However the route to the basin is long, generally unmarked, and is best accomplished on horseback with an outfitter in the area. After reaching the basin the round trip to the window can usually be accomplished within two hours.
Climbing to the window from Clover Valley is considerably more difficult but the window is constantly in view and much closer which may give the difficulty factor a deceptive appearance. But, with an appropriate high clearance 4-WD vehicle, the hiking distance before starting the climb is much less than the hiking distance when starting from Starr Valley.
Clover Valley is reached by driving south from Wells on US Highway 93 and 5 miles (8 km) later turning onto State Route 232
Nevada State Route 232
State Route 232 is a state highway in Elko County, Nevada, USA. As Clover Valley Road, it parallels U.S. Route 93 for , originates from Steeles Creek, and meets Route 93 at its end....
to Clover Valley. Six miles (9.7 km) later look for the Week's Creek Canyon turnoff sign on the right. This is a public access road that will lead to Lizzie's Basin and farther into the mountain towards Hole in the Mountain basin. Continue as far up the two wheel track road as your vehicle will take you. There are no trails so you must determine your own best route up the mountain. It will be immediately apparent that any direct route to the window is a very difficult task, even dangerous.
Instead, make your way up to Hole in the Mountain Peak, located a short distance to the north and an easier climb, and then make the approach to the window from the west side of the mountain.