It often comes as a pleasant surprise to tourists when sagebrush-dominated rangelands give way to alpine meadows and sparkling streams. One can travel through many life zones while exploring the Humboldt. Climate varies greatly from summer to winter. Daily temperature fluctuations of 50 degrees are not uncommon. Winters are moderate, with heavy snows in the mountains and light snows in the valleys.
Precipitation occurs mainly during the winter and spring months.
Summer temperatures range into the high 90's, while winter temperatures seldom go below zero. The Wilderness Act of 1964 designated the 65,000-acre Jarbidge Wilderness, which contains rugged, glaciated, mountainous terrain. This Wilderness includes over 100 miles of hiking trails. The Nevada Wilderness Protection Act of 1989 added six new wilderness areas and enlarged the Jarbidge Wilderness. The Act designated an additional 401,400 acres of wilderness.