Island Lake is a glacial tarn in the Ruby Mountains, in Elko County in the northeastern part of the state of Nevada. It is in a hanging valley at the end of a 2-mile (3.2 km) trail that begins at a parking lot at the end of Lamoille Canyon Road. The lake surface is 9,678 feet (2,950 m) above sea level, about 910 feet (280 m) above the parking lot.
Island Lake has an area of approximately 7.5 acres (3.0 ha) and a depth of up to 22 feet (6.7 m). It is a popular site for day trips, fishing, and camping.
Island Lake is a minor source of flow for Lamoille Creek, which after exiting the mountains passes through the town of Lamoille, meanders down Lamoille Valley, and then merges with the main branch of the Humboldt River.
Famous quotes containing the words island and/or lake:
“The shifting islands! who would not be willing that his house should be undermined by such a foe! The inhabitant of an island can tell what currents formed the land which he cultivates; and his earth is still being created or destroyed. There before his door, perchance, still empties the stream which brought down the material of his farm ages before, and is still bringing it down or washing it away,—the graceful, gentle robber!”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Such were the first rude beginnings of a town. They spoke of the practicability of a winter road to the Moosehead Carry, which would not cost much, and would connect them with steam and staging and all the busy world. I almost doubted if the lake would be there,—the self-same lake,—preserve its form and identity, when the shores should be cleared and settled; as if these lakes and streams which explorers report never awaited the advent of the citizen.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)