We arrived at Ruby Ridge yesterday to soup after a favorable forecast the day before. Thankfully the clouds lifted enough by morning for us to get views of the surrounding peaks and most importantly, Shuksan and Baker. The climbing was easy and pleasant. A great way for me to be welcomed back to the North Cascades. Highly recommend!!
Was a long long day of hiking in heat, but the views were e p i c at the summit. Would've been better without all the wildfire smoke, but was still a grand day out.
kronshage3 - Mar 31, 2019 1:01 pm Date Climbed: Mar 30, 2019
Via Northwest Ridge
Car camped at Colonial Creek Campground the night before. Got an early start and went up in the dark. Not much snow until above 3000 feet. Put on showshoes right around 4,000. The snow was just screaming posthole all the way until the ridge started to open up and the snow became much more solid. The bushwack on the route is not bad at all. Not much bush to wack this time of year. However, there are at least half a dozen cliffs along the ridge that you must navigate around. You either go left or right around each one hoping you made the right choice. Especially tricky to do in the dark. The upper ridge was very scenic and straightforward. Suggest an ice axe and crampons for the last bit. We saw a small group of skiers coming up the Happy Creek Route from summit. Give yourself some time for this route and be patient with the cliffs on the ridge. There could very well be nasty consequences if you go the wrong way...
Peaker - May 5, 2018 11:25 pm Date Climbed: May 5, 2018
Happy Creek
Bushwhacked then snowshoed up the Happy Creek route on the north side that skiers seem to favor. The lake is a neat addition to the already nice view.
seano - Jun 27, 2015 9:50 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2015
Off day
Nice view up the lake to Hozomeen. The old trail is nigh-impossible to find on the way up, so I ended up bushwhacking most of the way, then following it down. The junction is well past the campground when coming from Thunder Creek, but the trail is essentially invisible before the "abandoned trail" sign. Trip report.
A beautiful hike on a nice sunny day. I think I've figured out why most hikers (myself included) lose the trail at 3900'. It is very easy to miss the first switchback (hard left turn) at N48 39.896 W121 01.912. Judging from the condition of the false trail that continues straight ahead, almost everyone gets lost here. I tossed a bunch of dead branches on the false trail, which will hopefully prevent some frustration in the future. Other than that, a straightforward climb with a nice view.
Dundeel - Aug 8, 2011 9:27 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2011
A Gem Shining in the Sun
Eric's tent made for a comfortable night's rest not far off of the abandoned trail. A nice layer of morning clouds made for good hiking on summit day. Clouds seem to dissapate in about a 15 minute period leading to a dramatic unveiling of peaks in all directions. Only patches of snow on the SW side route. If you lose the old trail for more than a 100 horizontal feet, look around some more. We were off trail between 3900 and 4200 but on the way down, we had no problem following it the whole way.
ericnoel - Aug 8, 2011 11:49 am Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2011
Ruby
We did this with a camp a little bit above Fourth of July Pass. It's an easy peak per se but it was a grunt for me. Great views on top but most of the route is just in forest. Ken did a great job tracking the trail but it was a little bit tedious to follow. I really think they should build a real trail to the top of this peak. Oh well.
setrent - Dec 19, 2009 5:55 am Date Climbed: Jan 18, 2009
NW Ridge
A great winter climb!
Casey Bates - Oct 24, 2009 12:36 pm Date Climbed: Nov 1, 2007
Snowy
Climbed Ruby after camping at 4th of July pass. We never saw any sign of trail due to snow. A few inches of snow at 4th of July turned into knee-deep snow near the summit. Our hike along the ridge towards the summit was tricky with no visibility. Great climb.
Redwic - Sep 12, 2009 3:14 am Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2009
Summiting The Old-Fashioned Way
I had wanting to summit this peak for some time. I had heard how difficult the Ruby Mountain Trail route might be, but I wanted to find out for myself. It was easy to follow until ~3900' elevation, and then I re-encountered the trail again at a small open rocky area at ~4950' elevation. The summit views of North Cascades peaks might be the best I have ever seen in that area. This mountain summit is highly recommended!!!
Rockawilliam - Jul 17, 2021 7:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2021
And Clouds Lifted!We arrived at Ruby Ridge yesterday to soup after a favorable forecast the day before. Thankfully the clouds lifted enough by morning for us to get views of the surrounding peaks and most importantly, Shuksan and Baker. The climbing was easy and pleasant. A great way for me to be welcomed back to the North Cascades. Highly recommend!!
DawnchaserTheAdventurer - Oct 13, 2019 5:05 am Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2018
Insanely long, but totally worthitWas a long long day of hiking in heat, but the views were e p i c at the summit. Would've been better without all the wildfire smoke, but was still a grand day out.
rtgomez90 - Jul 30, 2019 2:10 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2019
standard rte>10 hrs
kronshage3 - Mar 31, 2019 1:01 pm Date Climbed: Mar 30, 2019
Via Northwest RidgeCar camped at Colonial Creek Campground the night before. Got an early start and went up in the dark. Not much snow until above 3000 feet. Put on showshoes right around 4,000. The snow was just screaming posthole all the way until the ridge started to open up and the snow became much more solid. The bushwack on the route is not bad at all. Not much bush to wack this time of year. However, there are at least half a dozen cliffs along the ridge that you must navigate around. You either go left or right around each one hoping you made the right choice. Especially tricky to do in the dark. The upper ridge was very scenic and straightforward. Suggest an ice axe and crampons for the last bit. We saw a small group of skiers coming up the Happy Creek Route from summit. Give yourself some time for this route and be patient with the cliffs on the ridge. There could very well be nasty consequences if you go the wrong way...
Peaker - May 5, 2018 11:25 pm Date Climbed: May 5, 2018
Happy CreekBushwhacked then snowshoed up the Happy Creek route on the north side that skiers seem to favor. The lake is a neat addition to the already nice view.
seano - Jun 27, 2015 9:50 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2015
Off dayNice view up the lake to Hozomeen. The old trail is nigh-impossible to find on the way up, so I ended up bushwhacking most of the way, then following it down. The junction is well past the campground when coming from Thunder Creek, but the trail is essentially invisible before the "abandoned trail" sign. Trip report.
gimpilator - Jul 28, 2013 6:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2013
Thunder Creek / South RidgeOne of the best summit views for a 7000 foot Washington peak. We camped nearer the summit, 7 hours going up and 4 coming down.
kevinsa - Sep 9, 2011 10:01 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2011
Ruby MountainA beautiful hike on a nice sunny day. I think I've figured out why most hikers (myself included) lose the trail at 3900'. It is very easy to miss the first switchback (hard left turn) at N48 39.896 W121 01.912. Judging from the condition of the false trail that continues straight ahead, almost everyone gets lost here. I tossed a bunch of dead branches on the false trail, which will hopefully prevent some frustration in the future. Other than that, a straightforward climb with a nice view.
Dundeel - Aug 8, 2011 9:27 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2011
A Gem Shining in the SunEric's tent made for a comfortable night's rest not far off of the abandoned trail. A nice layer of morning clouds made for good hiking on summit day. Clouds seem to dissapate in about a 15 minute period leading to a dramatic unveiling of peaks in all directions. Only patches of snow on the SW side route. If you lose the old trail for more than a 100 horizontal feet, look around some more. We were off trail between 3900 and 4200 but on the way down, we had no problem following it the whole way.
ericnoel - Aug 8, 2011 11:49 am Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2011
RubyWe did this with a camp a little bit above Fourth of July Pass. It's an easy peak per se but it was a grunt for me. Great views on top but most of the route is just in forest. Ken did a great job tracking the trail but it was a little bit tedious to follow. I really think they should build a real trail to the top of this peak. Oh well.
setrent - Dec 19, 2009 5:55 am Date Climbed: Jan 18, 2009
NW RidgeA great winter climb!
Casey Bates - Oct 24, 2009 12:36 pm Date Climbed: Nov 1, 2007
SnowyClimbed Ruby after camping at 4th of July pass. We never saw any sign of trail due to snow. A few inches of snow at 4th of July turned into knee-deep snow near the summit. Our hike along the ridge towards the summit was tricky with no visibility. Great climb.
Redwic - Sep 12, 2009 3:14 am Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2009
Summiting The Old-Fashioned WayI had wanting to summit this peak for some time. I had heard how difficult the Ruby Mountain Trail route might be, but I wanted to find out for myself. It was easy to follow until ~3900' elevation, and then I re-encountered the trail again at a small open rocky area at ~4950' elevation. The summit views of North Cascades peaks might be the best I have ever seen in that area. This mountain summit is highly recommended!!!