Our last hike in the Ruby Mtn Range left right from the Thomas Campground. It’s a quick but steady hike at 4.3 miles with1300′ in elevation gain. It tops out at 8900′ so take it slow if altitude bothers you. Whether it’s because it’s the last day of a series of high altitude hikes or we were just tired, this felt the hardest.
Settled in the 1850s by the Basque people, the Ruby Mountain area has long been appreciated for its lush valleys fed by melting snows. This area proved great for livestock and farming. The Basque who originated from an area between France and Spain were sheepherders here. It’s easy to see why there were attracted to the area.
The trail is pretty steep in some parts and has loose rocks and overgrown vegetation in spots. After a series of wooden stairs and some steep inclines it does level out for a short spell before climbing the rest of the way to the foot of Mt Fitzgerald. The creek run right alongside the trail pretty much the whole way and there are a few small waterfalls and great little pools of fresh snowmelt to soak in if you’re hot.
There wasn’t enough water flowing this time of year to see the big waterfall at the end but the box canyon was still amazing. We were THE ONLY people up here and had the place to ourselves!
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