The Pequop Mountains are a mountain range located in eastern Elko County , Nevada , United States. The range runs generally north-south for approximately 51 miles (82 km) The high point of the range is an unnamed peak (at an elevation of 9,249 feet [2,819 m]) located at 40°55.46'N and 114°35.38'W.
12-650: The range comprises two distinct groups of mountains, separated by a low line of hills at Flower Pass. To the west is Independence Valley and the East Humboldt Range , while to the east is Goshute Valley and the Toano Range . The southern section of the range, bending slightly to the southwest, essentially merges with Spruce Mountain , and is the location of the South Pequop Wilderness Study Area . These mountains are
24-476: A dramatic rise from a point near the source of the Humboldt River and the community of Wells, at an elevation of 5,650 feet (1,720 m), to the summit of Greys Peak at 10,674 feet (3,253 m). From there, the range continues south for nearly 10 miles (16 km) as a high crest, staying mostly above 10,000 feet (3,000 m). The center section of this crest includes the range high point, Hole in
36-879: A maximum elevation of 11,306 feet (3,446 m) atop Hole in the Mountain Peak . Most of the range is included within the Ruby Mountains Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest . In 1989, the United States Congress passed the Nevada Wilderness Protection Act establishing over 36,000 acres (150 km ) of the range as the East Humboldt Wilderness . The range takes its name from
48-677: A serious obstacle to travel between the more level terrain of the Great Salt Lake Desert and the Humboldt River Valley . The First transcontinental railroad was routed around the north end of the range, on its way to Promontory Summit in Utah . The later Western Pacific Railroad line, which crosses the Great Salt Lake Desert, tunneled through the range at Flower Pass (which was itself part of
60-451: A tilted fault-block process, with gradual slopes and valleys to the west and a steep escarpment to the east. Both sides of the range show extensive evidence of glaciation during recent ice ages , including U-shaped canyons , moraines , and steeply carved granite mountains , cliffs , and cirques . All of these features can be seen from the 12 mi (19 km) paved road from Wells to scenic Angel Lake . The range begins with
72-526: Is an unsigned state highway in Elko County , Nevada , United States. Known as Angel Lake Road , the highway connects Angel Lake to the town of Wells . SR 231 is a Nevada Scenic Byway . SR 231 begins at the Angel Lake fee booth, providing access to the lake and nearby picnic and campground areas. From there, the highway heads in a general eastward direction, descending through switchbacks along
84-611: The Wasatch Mountains of Utah and Donner Summit in the Sierra Nevada Range of California . East Humboldt Range The East Humboldt Range is a mountain range in Elko County , Nevada , United States . It is located along the eastern edge of the upper watershed of the Humboldt River , which flows to the southwest from its source just north of the range. The range reaches
96-521: The Humboldt River. The name ultimately is derived from the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt . The East Humboldts run north-to-south for approximately 30 miles (48 km). To the north are Interstate 80 and the community of Wells , while to the south are Secret Pass, the larger Ruby Range , and Ruby Valley . To the east are Clover Valley and U.S. Route 93 , and to the west are Starr Valley and Dennis Flats. These mountains were formed by
108-435: The Mountain Peak. The southernmost high summit of the range is Humboldt Peak (11,020 ft (3,360 m)), after which the main crest begins a gradual descent, forming the northeastern slopes of Secret Pass and the eastern side of North Ruby Valley. The range includes many glacial tarns , including Angel Lake , Smith Lake, Greys Lake, and Winchell Lake to the north, and Lizzie's Basin, Boulder Lakes, and Steele Lake in
120-483: The central section. Hiking trails run from Secret Pass up the western side of the range all the way around to Angel Lake, from Angel Lake to nearby Smith Lake, and from a trailhead near Angel Lake down the east side of the range to Winchell Lake and Lizzie's Basin. Public access is principally found at Angel Lake, a trailhead at the west end of Secret Pass, and via a primitive road at Weeks Canyon/Lizzie's Basin. Nevada State Route 231 State Route 231 ( SR 231 )
132-546: The east side of the East Humboldt Range . Once traveling about 5.5 miles (8.9 km) to clear of the mountains, the road turns more sharply to the north. The final 1.5 miles (2.4 km) sees the route turn more directly eastward to enter the town of Wells. SR 231 comes to its northern terminus at the intersection of Angel Lake Road and Humboldt Avenue ( SR 223 ) in Wells, just south of Interstate 80 . Angel Lake Road may be closed to travel during winters. Angel Lake Road became
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#1732765709680144-671: The historic Hastings Cutoff route). Both of these railways now operate under Union Pacific Railroad , the former as part of the Lakeside Subdivision of the Overland Route and the latter as the Shafter Subdivision of the Central Corridor . Interstate 80 crosses the northern section of the range at 6,967 ft (2,124 m) Pequop Summit, its highest point between Parley's Summit in
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