Right Fork Canyon Hike

Right Fork Canyon....Ugh
This was one of our first hikes in the Rubies. The hike was gorgeous. We did it in late June, so there were lots of water and flowers. However, the we couldn't find the trail at several points, making it frustrating and tiring. This hike we thought would be relatively easy, so we only brought a liter of water. After the 4 or 5 hours it took us, we were feeling shaky and in need of some recuperation. Next time we go, we plan to bring some garden snippers and perhaps some old rags to better mark the trail.
There is a huge population of mice in the Rubies, which I got used to quite quickly. However, I wasn't so relaxed after I stepped directly on top of one at the top of the canyon!
The trail goes up through the canyon to a nice large cirque containing lots of water and vegetation.



Distance: 4 Miles, but highly debatable.

Thomas Canyon

Fall colors in Thomas Canyon

We took a nice hike up Thomas Canyon. Very nice trail with a stream, beaver dams, and a flat, hanging valley at the top.

Unnamed Falls

This hike is very short and very steep. We assumed there would be a trail, but we were only able to follow it about 300 feet. From there it is basically straight up for a quarter to a half mile, then a short ways along the cayon wall to a high waterfall. You hike to the base of the falls, were there is also a memorial for two people who I believe fell off a cliff near this waterfall.

Lamoille Falls

Lamoille Falls was our first hike in the Ruby Mountians. Short, pretty, and covered with Arrowleaf Balsamroot. The 'hike' is only about a quarter of a mile, and goes up Lamoille Creek to the roaring falls.

Lamoille Lake Hike

Lamoille Lake is probably the most popular trail in the Ruby Mountains. You start at the parking lot at the end of the scenic road up Lamoille Canyon. Our first hike to the lake was on July 3rd and there was still lots of snow to hike through. Our second hike was July 31st, and we had a gorgeous day with lots of wildflowers along the trail. Wayne went swimming in the frigid lake, while Wayne's sister, Joanna and I sunned ourselves and took some photos. On both trips, we returned to the parking lot on the 'stock trail,' the trail on the opposite side of the canyon.

Distance (round trip): 4 Miles
Elevation: 900 ft

Angel Lake

We spent the afternoon at Angel Lake on August 8 with Wayne's sister Joanna. It was an hour drive to Wells, where you get off the interstate and take the scenic drive up to Angel Lake. You can drive all the way to the parking lot, where you do pay a small fee. Angel Lake is quite large, and after a picnic lunch Wayne and I walked around the lake for a small hike. There is a trail you can follow around most of the lake. On the back side of the lake, Wayne hiked back into the canyon a ways. There is a small waterfall and it appears that no one ever goes back there, so it is quite solitary. The day we went there were plenty of visitors fishing, swimming, and jumping off the rocks into the water. The area is very well kept, and on our next trip we plan to camp at the small campground next to the lake.

Griswold Lake

Along the way, you hike through Aspen thickets that have names and sayings carved into the tree trunks. Most are by the Basques, who have inhabited this area for years. One of the trees says, "Biva los Baskos," or, "Long live the Basques."

Our first hike to Griswold Lake was on September 17, 2010. We had a beautiful day to climb the 3200 vertical feet to the lake. It was a tough hike, but very worthwhile. I spotted a coyote. We plan to camp at the lake on our next trip.

Distance (round trip): 6 or 7 miles
Elevation gain: 3200 ft