| RUBY CREST NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL:
The Ruby Mountains are a little known but spectacular area often compared
to the better known High Sierras of California. Abounding with tall
craggy mountains bare of vegetation due to their height, the Ruby Crest
National Trail, Trail 043, runs for 42 miles along the highest ridges of
the Rubies. The trail passes high alpine tarns and screefields home
to pikas and marmots. This is an area cherished for its splendor.
The trailhead for this route is located at the end of Lamoille Canyon
Scenic Byway (FR 660). The Roads End Trailhead offers a large parking area
free of charge, stock unloading facilities, and hitching rails. Vault toilets
and potable water are also provided. No camping is allowed at Roads End
Trailhead.
This route covers the first 23 miles of the Ruby Crest Trail, before
taking Trail 047 down to the access road for the Overland Lake Trailhead.
There will also be a short down and back to North Furlong Lake. Trail
conditions are generally good, although wet areas occur near the north
end lakes. This route is located in a wilderness area with the exception
of the first 2.5 miles and the last several miles. Trail difficulty is
moderate to difficult and water can be scarce in certain areas of the trail,
especially the second half of the Ruby Crest Trail portion of this route,
ending at just before Overland Lake. The elevation of the Roads End trailhead
is 8,800 feet. This trail climbs as it follows the crest and averages 9,500
feet in elevation along its course before dropping to 6070 feet at end
of the route. The highest elevation for this route is at Liberty Pass with
an elevation of 10,580 feet. On the first four miles, from Roads
End to Liberty Pass, one will encounter the majority of trail users during
peak season. From Liberty Pass to Overland Lake, one will usually encounter
only the serious hikers.
This route ends at the junction of Forest Road 788 and County Road 767
or Ruby Valley Road, which is 52 miles southwest of Wells and 18 miles
northeast of Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge. |