Ruby Mountain Trip Report 10/13/2013

Peak(s):	Ruby Mountain - 13,278 feet
Date Posted:	10/13/2013
Date Climbed:	10/06/2013
Author:	Greenhouseguy
Additional Members:	Jay521

East Ridge Ruby Mountain A
Ruby Mountain A 13,277 Feet (419th Highest in Colorado) East Ridge from the Argentine Pass Trailhead Trailhead Elevation About 11,050 Feet 4.57 Miles Roundtrip Approximately 1,928 Feet Elevation Gained Class 2 October 6th, 2013 Hiking Partner: Jay521 East Ridge Ruby Mountain A Horseshoe Basin is a huge expanse of real estate that is bordered on the north by Grays Peak and Mt. Edwards, on the east by Argentine Peak, and on the west by Ruby Mountain. The basin is drained by Peru Creek, which is a tributary of the Snake River. Today, the basin seems like a peaceful sea of willows. In the closing decades of the 19th century, however, Horseshoe Basin was a bustling hub of mining activity. The mines are quiet now, but their crumbling remains persist as a reminder of the area's vast mineral wealth. The area's natural beauty belies the fact that it is one of the most polluted spots in Colorado. Zinc seeping from the mine tailings has killed all of the trout in Peru Creek. Aluminum hydroxide has turned the rocks in the creek a shocking white. Lead, cadmium, and copper make the water hazardous to humans. Efforts are underway to alleviate the pollution issues, but much work remains to be done. In the meantime, Horseshoe Basin remains a tranquil setting from which one can start exceptional routes on several twelvers, thirteeners, and a fourtener. The Pennsylvania Mine, which is one of the "dirtiest" abandoned mines in Colorado Peru Creek, with its aluminum hydroxide-stained rocks The hike started at a locked gate by the abandoned Shoe Basin Mine at about 11,050 feet. This is known as the Argentine Pass Trailhead. Several years ago, a large parking area was carved out of a tailings pile about a tenth of a mile down the road from the mine. I took advantage of the parking area, since there is no convenient spot to pull off of the road closer to the gate. The gate on Peru Creek Road by the remains of the old Shoe Basin Mine Old frame structure across the road from the parking area We passed through the gate and continued up Peru Creek Road. To our right, we could see the old Argentine Pass wagon road angling up the western slope of bicentennial thirteener Argentine Peak. It certainly would have been an interesting ride back in its heyday shortly after the Civil War. Straight ahead, we could see centennial thirteener Mt. Edwards and a long stretch of the Continental Divide. Mt. Edwards (13,850 feet) at the northern end of Horseshoe Basin At about 0.4 miles from the parking lot, we passed the junction with the Argentine Pass Trail (Forest Service Trail #77). We continued on the main trail for another tenth of a mile until we reached the junction with the Peruvian Mine Trail (Forest Service Trail #9174). We took the left fork (Trail #9174), which headed uphill towards the Peruvian and Whale Lode mines. Junction with the Argentine Pass Trail, FS #77 Junction with the Peruvian Mine Trail, FS #9174 The Peruvian Mine Trail was narrow, winding, and covered with snow, but it offered the best route through the willows. It looked like it hadn't seen much vehicular traffic in recent years. Jay on the Peruvian Mine Trail, with Grays Peak in the background At about 0.82 miles from the trailhead, we came to another junction in the trail. The left branch of this trail headed towards the ruins of the Peruvian Mine, and the right fork continued uphill towards the Whale Lode Mine. We stayed to the right, and followed the old mining road as it curved to the northwest towards the Whale Lode Mine. Jay hiking up the last stretch of the trail below the Whale Lode Mine The last stretch of the trail is more like a creek than a trail. We had to choose our steps carefully to avoid ice-covered rocks. The path ended at the ruins of the Whale Lode Mine, which mostly consisted of flattened timbers and a rusting boiler. The mine was active in the 1880's and 1890's, and probably didn't see much activity after the price of silver collapsed in 1893. Rusting boiler at the ruins of the Whale Lode Mine A low cliff behind the mine blocked our access to the east ridge, so we headed southwest to get around the obstacle. We saw some impressive ice formations as we passed under the cliffs. Looking down on the scattered remains of the Whale Lode Mine Ice formation on the cliff to the northwest of the Whale Lode Mine The route around the west end of the cliff We reached a large, nearly-flat area above the cliff. A wicked looking rock formation on the east ridge was due north of us, and the ridge between Ruby Mountain's false and true summits was to our west. According to Bill Middlebrook, the nasty rock formation is only Class 2. With the ice, it looked like it had plenty of potential for fractures, dislocations, and contusions. Heading straight up the slope beside the ridge seemed like the safer and easier option. Ruby Mountain's east ridge. The highest point in the image is the false summit, and part of the gnarly rock formation is visible to the far right. The slope was steep and loose in some places, and it took some effort to find the best route. The slope relented a bit after we picked our way through a band of large rocks. Angling up the slope towards the east ridge After we passed through the band of rocks, we ascended towards a mellow-looking spot on the ridge just above the gnarly rock formation. We hit the ridge at about 12,774 feet. There is no proper trail on the ridge, but it was easy to see where others had followed the path of least resistance. Looking up Ruby Mountain's east ridge from about 12,774 feet Bill Middlebrook described the next rocky section on the ridge as being the crux of the route, but it honestly didn't present any difficulties. We picked our way through the rocks, and soon found ourselves standing on the false summit. Approaching the crux of the route below the false summit From the false summit, we had a great view of the small lake below the saddle between Ruby Mountain and Grays Peak. The route on Grays Peak's south ridge looked fascinating, and just moved up on my bucket list. The lake at the end of Peru Creek Road, just below Ruby Mountain's saddle with Grays Peak Grays Peak's south ridge, viewed from Ruby Mountain's false summit There was snow on the leeward side of the ridge between the false and true summits, and a cornice was already forming. There was not a great deal of elevation change between the summits. Looking towards the true summit from the false summit Me approaching the summit (image by Jay521) Jay topping out with Grays Peak looking huge in the background The view from the summit would be hard to beat. In addition to having the best view of Grays Peak, we could see much of the Gore Range, the Tenmile Range, and the northern Sawatch. To the southwest, we could see the Kenosha Mountains, South Park, and Pikes Peak. Me taking in the view (image by Jay521) Argentine Peak on the left and Squaretop Mountain on the right. The Argentine Pass Trail is clearly visible on Argentine Peak's flanks. Looking over part of the Lost Creek Wilderness towards Pikes Peak There was a bit of a cool breeze blowing on the summit, but we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. We took plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, then retraced our steps back to the Jeep. Looking back towards the false summit with Mt. Edwards in the background Descending the east ridge into Horseshoe Basin Bypassing the gnarly rock formation on the slope We both slipped and fell on the melting snow and ice, so it was a pleasure to get back to the mining road, Back on the Peruvian Mine Trail GPS track of our route on Ruby Mountain A Ruby Mountain took a huge toll on my quads in a relatively short distance. While the mining ruins preclude this from being considered a wilderness hike, we were still the only humans occupying many square miles of rugged mountains. This sort of solitude may not be hard to find in the San Juans, but as far as the Front Range is concerned, Ruby was a real gem. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

East Ridge Ruby Mountain A

Ruby Mountain A
13,277 Feet (419th Highest in Colorado)
East Ridge from the Argentine Pass Trailhead
Trailhead Elevation About 11,050 Feet
4.57 Miles Roundtrip
Approximately 1,928 Feet Elevation Gained
Class 2
October 6th, 2013
Hiking Partner: Jay521

East Ridge Ruby Mountain A

Horseshoe Basin is a huge expanse of real estate that is bordered on the north by Grays Peak and Mt. Edwards, on the east by Argentine Peak, and on the west by Ruby Mountain. The basin is drained by Peru Creek, which is a tributary of the Snake River. Today, the basin seems like a peaceful sea of willows. In the closing decades of the 19th century, however, Horseshoe Basin was a bustling hub of mining activity. The mines are quiet now, but their crumbling remains persist as a reminder of the area's vast mineral wealth. The area's natural beauty belies the fact that it is one of the most polluted spots in Colorado. Zinc seeping from the mine tailings has killed all of the trout in Peru Creek. Aluminum hydroxide has turned the rocks in the creek a shocking white. Lead, cadmium, and copper make the water hazardous to humans. Efforts are underway to alleviate the pollution issues, but much work remains to be done. In the meantime, Horseshoe Basin remains a tranquil setting from which one can start exceptional routes on several twelvers, thirteeners, and a fourtener.

The Pennsylvania Mine, which is one of the "dirtiest" abandoned mines in Colorado

Peru Creek, with its aluminum hydroxide-stained rocks

The hike started at a locked gate by the abandoned Shoe Basin Mine at about 11,050 feet. This is known as the Argentine Pass Trailhead. Several years ago, a large parking area was carved out of a tailings pile about a tenth of a mile down the road from the mine. I took advantage of the parking area, since there is no convenient spot to pull off of the road closer to the gate.

The gate on Peru Creek Road by the remains of the old Shoe Basin Mine

Old frame structure across the road from the parking area

We passed through the gate and continued up Peru Creek Road. To our right, we could see the old Argentine Pass wagon road angling up the western slope of bicentennial thirteener Argentine Peak. It certainly would have been an interesting ride back in its heyday shortly after the Civil War. Straight ahead, we could see centennial thirteener Mt. Edwards and a long stretch of the Continental Divide.

Mt. Edwards (13,850 feet) at the northern end of Horseshoe Basin

At about 0.4 miles from the parking lot, we passed the junction with the Argentine Pass Trail (Forest Service Trail #77). We continued on the main trail for another tenth of a mile until we reached the junction with the Peruvian Mine Trail (Forest Service Trail #9174). We took the left fork (Trail #9174), which headed uphill towards the Peruvian and Whale Lode mines.

Junction with the Argentine Pass Trail, FS #77

Junction with the Peruvian Mine Trail, FS #9174

The Peruvian Mine Trail was narrow, winding, and covered with snow, but it offered the best route through the willows. It looked like it hadn't seen much vehicular traffic in recent years.

Jay on the Peruvian Mine Trail, with Grays Peak in the background

At about 0.82 miles from the trailhead, we came to another junction in the trail. The left branch of this trail headed towards the ruins of the Peruvian Mine, and the right fork continued uphill towards the Whale Lode Mine. We stayed to the right, and followed the old mining road as it curved to the northwest towards the Whale Lode Mine.

Jay hiking up the last stretch of the trail below the Whale Lode Mine

The last stretch of the trail is more like a creek than a trail. We had to choose our steps carefully to avoid ice-covered rocks. The path ended at the ruins of the Whale Lode Mine, which mostly consisted of flattened timbers and a rusting boiler. The mine was active in the 1880's and 1890's, and probably didn't see much activity after the price of silver collapsed in 1893.

Rusting boiler at the ruins of the Whale Lode Mine

A low cliff behind the mine blocked our access to the east ridge, so we headed southwest to get around the obstacle. We saw some impressive ice formations as we passed under the cliffs.

Looking down on the scattered remains of the Whale Lode Mine

Ice formation on the cliff to the northwest of the Whale Lode Mine

The route around the west end of the cliff

We reached a large, nearly-flat area above the cliff. A wicked looking rock formation on the east ridge was due north of us, and the ridge between Ruby Mountain's false and true summits was to our west. According to Bill Middlebrook, the nasty rock formation is only Class 2. With the ice, it looked like it had plenty of potential for fractures, dislocations, and contusions. Heading straight up the slope beside the ridge seemed like the safer and easier option.

Ruby Mountain's east ridge. The highest point in the image is the false summit, and part of the gnarly rock formation is visible to the far right.

The slope was steep and loose in some places, and it took some effort to find the best route. The slope relented a bit after we picked our way through a band of large rocks.

Angling up the slope towards the east ridge

After we passed through the band of rocks, we ascended towards a mellow-looking spot on the ridge just above the gnarly rock formation. We hit the ridge at about 12,774 feet. There is no proper trail on the ridge, but it was easy to see where others had followed the path of least resistance.

Looking up Ruby Mountain's east ridge from about 12,774 feet

Bill Middlebrook described the next rocky section on the ridge as being the crux of the route, but it honestly didn't present any difficulties. We picked our way through the rocks, and soon found ourselves standing on the false summit.

Approaching the crux of the route below the false summit

From the false summit, we had a great view of the small lake below the saddle between Ruby Mountain and Grays Peak. The route on Grays Peak's south ridge looked fascinating, and just moved up on my bucket list.

The lake at the end of Peru Creek Road, just below Ruby Mountain's saddle with Grays Peak

Grays Peak's south ridge, viewed from Ruby Mountain's false summit

There was snow on the leeward side of the ridge between the false and true summits, and a cornice was already forming. There was not a great deal of elevation change between the summits.

Looking towards the true summit from the false summit

Me approaching the summit (image by Jay521)

Jay topping out with Grays Peak looking huge in the background

The view from the summit would be hard to beat. In addition to having the best view of Grays Peak, we could see much of the Gore Range, the Tenmile Range, and the northern Sawatch. To the southwest, we could see the Kenosha Mountains, South Park, and Pikes Peak.

Me taking in the view (image by Jay521)

Argentine Peak on the left and Squaretop Mountain on the right. The Argentine Pass Trail is clearly visible on Argentine Peak's flanks.

Looking over part of the Lost Creek Wilderness towards Pikes Peak

There was a bit of a cool breeze blowing on the summit, but we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. We took plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, then retraced our steps back to the Jeep.

Looking back towards the false summit with Mt. Edwards in the background

Descending the east ridge into Horseshoe Basin

Bypassing the gnarly rock formation on the slope

We both slipped and fell on the melting snow and ice, so it was a pleasure to get back to the mining road,

Back on the Peruvian Mine Trail

GPS track of our route on Ruby Mountain A

Ruby Mountain took a huge toll on my quads in a relatively short distance. While the mining ruins preclude this from being considered a wilderness hike, we were still the only humans occupying many square miles of rugged mountains. This sort of solitude may not be hard to find in the San Juans, but as far as the Front Range is concerned, Ruby was a real gem.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

goingup	Excellent. 10/13/2013 9:08pm Looks like you guys had a great day! I love picture number 12.
Derek	Nice work 10/14/2013 2:39pm Good job gents. Somehow never found my way up this peak. Lets all get out soon. I'll try to get into town ASAP. --D
Greenhouseguy	Comment 10/15/2013 4:59am Thanks, Goingup. It was a nice trip. Derek, let's make plans.
Marmot72	Cool report 10/16/2013 12:56am Enjoyed the fine pictures and also your insight into the mining history of the area.
Jay521	Like Marmot72 said... 10/16/2013 11:44pm Thanks for putting this up! It was great going with you. I think your knowledge of mining history is only surpassed by your knowledge of flora... No - wait - your VERY dry sense of humor has to fit in there somewhere....
rickinco123	Wow! 10/25/2013 5:56pm This is really a top notch report. Excellent photos, dialogue and well researched history. This is how it should be done.

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