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Please Click Here for – Part Seven
The Rubies
In conversations the rubberlegs – Steve & Deb – had expressed their interest in visiting the Ruby Mountains. It was a gamble. Lamoille Canyon is a busy place with only one campground. We had enough daylight to make it there before dark if the herds of Mormon Crickets weren’t too thick. We arrived at 1800 hrs. It was a gamble but why not take a look for an open site before grabbing a dispersed spot lower in the canyon and return early the following morning to do the campsite vulture circle as campers leave. The gamble paid off. What we consider the best campsite was open and we grabbed it. Wow. The Lady declared it was all because we had tried so hard to help Bessie. No, I said, it was because she had rescued the baby bluebirds from their cabin entrapment. Bluebirds rank much higher than cows in my book.
We stayed for four nights. Opportunities like this do not come often.
The next day was a day without driving, always a treat. We hiked from camp and explored Thomas Canyon up to its end. This part of the Rubies is known for its spectacular glaciated landscape.
We found a large rock outcrop at the head of the canyon.
We took our time returning back to camp. Would we rather be up here or back in the campground? The answer’s easy.
The Lady and I love our evening walks, time spent together, immersed in the things that really matter – like watching the light change in the mountains.
The next day Steve & Deb kindly offered to drive us all to road’s end for a day hike up above Island Lake. This is a busy place. Get here early and you’ve got a chance at a parking spot.
Up we went.
There’s a bridge over the outflow from Island Lake.
With just a hop, skip, and a jump we reached the hanging cirque of Island Lake.
But we continued up, off trail, into the basin above.
In such a busy place it’s so nice to leave everyone else behind.
The spot I picked to relax at was not good enough. “Higher! Let’s go higher!” my companions insisted.
Soon we were at the headwall.
Would this spot do? The Lady agreed.
“Snow! Look there’s snow I can climb!” Steve exclaimed.
Snow melting out around huge boulders doesn’t excite us much, but we enjoyed watching Steve’s progress. He gave up before reaching the ridge top and returned.
The Lady was in her element.
We all enjoyed the rugged climb back down.
After a break back at Island Lake, we continued down the trail to the parking lot.
This was a wonderful day of rambling, scrambling, in breathtaking terrain. The weather was changing. We’d received an InReach message from our friend, The Sagebrush Reconnoiterer, the temps in the next days were to drop 20° with a cold front dropping in from the north. Storm built this evening above camp and added drama to the sky.
Up early the next morning, we returned to the trailhead at the end of the road. Today’s hike was planned to take us over Liberty Pass and beyond.
The skies were clear. This was a beautiful morning. The forecast was correct. It was a much cooler day.
We soon reached Lamoille Lake.
The route up over Liberty Pass was snow covered. The terrain is very steep. We watched another hiker attempt to reach the pass. Our test subject did not make it. We did not have our ice axes - which we all have a great deal of experience using - so the wise decision was not to continue up. We took a long break at Lamoille Lake.
We headed over to Dollar Lakes and back down to the trailhead via that trail, although most of it was snow covered.
The Lady, of course, was in her happy place.
As were all of us.
We had spent several wonderful weeks with our friends Deb & Steve and had a grand time. It was time to go our separate ways the next morning and after lots of hugs we said our good byes.
It was a cold rainy morning as we drove over Harrison Pass to the east side of the Rubies. We explored around the Ruby Valley and the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge. We made a stop at the hot springs.
After securing a campsite at the quiet campground, we continued south to the site of Fort Ruby.
There were many conflicts with the native Newe (Western Shoshone) people that led to the 1863 Ruby Valley Treaty. Here’s their story on the signing of the 1863 treaty.
With the gut wrenching cruelty exhibited by Trump and his administration, the Newe must view the United States as getting back to the old ways. We both were surprised this sign had not yet been sanitized in the campaign to make america make believe again.
It stormed hard overnight. The temps were, indeed, at least 20° cooler. New snow dusted the Rubies.
Our route back toward our house was roundabout. We love the Nevada backcountry. And we hate Interstate highways. Long dusty dirt roads work best. Since it had turned much cooler, we stopped at a favorite hot spring.
The last night of this trip was spent at a high pass over the Shoshone Mountains, a place where we were sure to be alone and we could embrace the solitude we treasure.
As always, we wandered to take in the last light of the day.
After arriving back, we did not stay long at our house. It is no longer home. The adventure continues…………..
The End
