Few People Know About This Remote Nevada Wilderness Full Of Unspoiled Natural Beauty
By Natasha Kayes|Published March 20, 2023
×
Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
Much of the state of Nevada is wide open desert landscape. And, while the desert has its own intrigue and unique kind of beauty, there are a few surprisingly green areas that really stand out as special. One such area, tucked up in the northern part of Elko county, is a remote preserve that few people know exists. The Jarbidge Wilderness in Nevada may just shock you with its lush, colorful beauty.
The Jarbidge Wilderness was established as a protected area in 1964 and expanded in 1989. Located in Elko County’s Jarbidge Mountains, the stunning wilderness now consists of more than 113,000 acres.
Being so rarely visited, the Jarbidge Wilderness is entirely unpolluted and covered with pristine natural beauty. The majestic peaks that overlook the valleys have been compared to the European Alps.
The Jarbidge Wilderness is unusually wet, considering the state’s desert climate. Several peaks of the Jarbidge Mountains reach elevations of over 10,000 feet, with an average of eight feet of snow falling on them annually and remaining as late in the year as July.
The snow and its runoff make the valley areas ideal for a wide range of plants and flowers, from desert to alpine varieties. In the summer, wildflowers, including hot pink fireweed, come up and cover vast areas of the wilderness.
There are elk, deer, and mountain lions living in the wilderness. In fact, of the few people who do see this beautiful place, a good number of them are elk hunters.
There are maintained trails within the Jarbidge Wilderness, but it is still one of the least visited Wilderness areas because of its remote, isolated location and the ruggedness of its mountains.
Jarbidge Wilderness is one of Nevada’s most incredible and best-kept secrets. Did you know there was such a place in this state? Have you or anyone you know ever been there? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. And check out some other places in Nevada that most people don’t know about.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
