Hole in the Mountain Peak is in the East Humboldt Range in northeastern Nevada, and is located 35 miles (56 km) east of Elko and 14 miles (23 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 11,306 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 (0.5 km) south of the summit at about 11,127 feet (3,392 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.
Famous quotes containing the words hole in, hole, mountain and/or peak:
“I see the horses and the sad streets
Of my childhood in an agate eye
Roving, under the clean sheets,
Over a black hole in the sky.”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)
“The absence on the panel of anyone who could become pregnant accidentally or discover her salary was five thousand dollars a year less than that of her male counterpart meant there was a hole in the consciousness of the committee that empathy, however welcome, could not entirely fill.”
—Anna Quindlen (b. 1953)
“In the vale of restless mind
I sought in mountain and in mead,
Trusting a true love for to find.”
—Unknown. Quia Amore Langueo (l. 1–3)
“In the mountains the shortest route is from peak to peak, but for that you must have long legs. Aphorisms should be peaks: and those to whom they are spoken should be big and tall of stature.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)