Ruby Gulch Hike

The Ruby Gulch trail is a lessor used hike near Berthoud Pass that has some amazing views and lots of stream crossings. The hike starts off a bit steep, but the struggle is worth it. And last year we saw moose!

There is limited parking at the trailhead so I will keep the group small.

Hikes are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances. We hike as a group. Everyone is expected to wait at all intersections, creek crossings & periodically otherwise so that no one is left behind or hiking on their own for safety purposes. We will stop as needed along the way for water, snacks, pictures, etc.

Difficulty: about 5.5 to 6 miles with about 1500 to 1600 feet elevation gain. Highest elevation is about 11,800 feet.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: The Ruby Gulch Trail follows an old mining road along Ruby Creek to an alpine basin surrounded by 13,000+ ft peaks, Englemann Peak, Bard Peak, and Mount Parnassus and 12,940 ft Woods Mountain. According to alltrails, the hike features a total of 13 stream crossings and 3 trickles, one of which can make a few yards of the trail quite wet, but it should be completely passable. Boots with good traction are recommended. Here is a nice writeup about the trail: mhttps://fatmanlittletrail.com/2021/07/14/ruby-gulch/
See the following hike in Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/ruby-gulch

DOGS: Allowed and must be under control at all times. Please be sure your dog is well behaved and can handle the length of the walk. Dog owners must clean up pet excrement.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Ruby Gulch Trailhead. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link above and click directions. Or if you use Google maps, you can type in “Ruby Gulch Trailhead” for directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-105.81973999968024&lat=39.74128296685876

REQUIRED WAIVER: if you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.