Seitz Canyon

Seitz Canyon is one of the major canyons and valleys within the Ruby Mountains of Elko County, in the northeastern section of the state of Nevada in the western United States. Approximately 5.5 miles (8.9 km) in length, it was extensively sculptured by glaciers in previous ice ages. Remote, scenic, and ecologically diverse, it is protected in both the Ruby Mountains Wilderness Area and the Seitz-Echo Research Natural Area. The main branch of Seitz Canyon begins at the summit of Mt. Silliman, at an elevation of 11,250 feet (3, 430 m). This high ridge also includes Mt. Gilbert at 11,120 ft (3, 390 m), and an unnamed peak at 11,035 ft (3, 363 m). The canyon then drops to the north as a spectacular headwall of over 2,000 ft (610 m) to a nearly level basin that includes Seitz Lake. It is here that the greatest evidence for glacial sculpturing can be found. The canyon shows a classic U-shaped cross section, and many patches of bare granite still retain the dark patina and striations caused by direct contact with the lower surface of the glacier that once filled this valley. From Seitz Lake the canyon makes a more gradual descent to its middle section 8,000 ft (2, 400 m), an area that includes a dense stand of aspen trees and beaver ponds. It then descends again to its large lower section 7,000 ft (2, 100 m), which includes an open forest of aspen and white fir trees, sagebrush flats

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