Ruby Crest Trail, Day 4 & Day 5, Ruby Mountains Wilderness- August 2023

Sleeping in is something I rarely do when I go backpacking. I am usually up early and on the trail early. But after the monster day we had on the ridge section, both Chad and myself did not get up till after 8, and we took our time packing up as we were both a little worse for wear in the stiffness department from the previous days push. We did make it on the trail before 9 AM, and the sun was up and it was warm. We made the climb to the small pass above North Furlong which gave us views looking back at Wines Peak and North Furlong Lake. We were also treated to a more familiar side of the Ruby Mountains as the peaks in sight were just how I imagined them. The descent off this pass was some steep but short switchbacks that put you into the first real tree cover I have had on this trail since South Fork Smitth Creek night one. When you haven't had shade for two days it really stands out when you are walking in it. The trail bends a little to the North East as it connects with Farve Lake.

We arrived to Farve Lake and there were some dayhikers in fishing the west end. We took the Farve Lake Trail around the south side to the east end. I was a little concerned with the Tenkara rod as it was much more full than I previously remember. It was harder to get to deeper water. I eventually settled in a spot and it was Fish On! As fast action at this lake as I remember from last time I was here in the Ruby's! After a couple of hours of fish after fish, we moved up to Liberty Lake. On our way there is a heart shaped rock and a unbelievable view of Lake Peak and Farve Lake. We eventually made it up to Liberty Lake and found a camp and set up.

I took some time to hand wash my sun shirt, (My night shirt is a UPF 50 shirt as well, but is warmer and more insulating) and hat of all my sweat and salts and then laid them out to dry. I decided to go fishing while I waited and I had some good luck for some pan fryer Brookies at Liberty Lake. This lake was very busy being a Thursday and most of the camp spots were taken up. We managed to get one of the last spots but we for sure had neighbors. I didn't mind so much, but if you are looking for solitude I suggest Farve or Castle Lake where we were earlier fishing. Evening set in and the sun painted quite the picture of Lake Peak. We had a nice evening in camp, then I waited till dark to shoot the Milky Way. I also got a nice shot with the Big Dipper of my tent lit up by my Luci light. I turned in shortly after for the last night on the trip.

Morning came, and with it came the bugs! Worst bugs of the trip! We made haste packing up and got on the trail early. Once we got above the lake the bugs seemed to vanish. We took in the views, shot some photography, and moved on the trail. Coming over Liberty Pass we were greeted with a view of Lamoille Lake and Lamoille Canyon! I could see my Jeep down there! We made the descent from the pass and it was a really nice hike on this side! So green this year! We passed many hikers and backpackers who were heading into the Liberty area for the weekend. Most of them seemed shocked we had just done the whole Ruby Crest Trail. Eventually after a massive bloom of my favorite wildflower, Fireweed I was walking up to the lot! 5 days, 4 nights, 40 miles, 10,000 feet of vert, and an adventure of a lifetime! It was great to see my vehicle and I made the change for the long drive back to Salt Lake. What an amazing trail! Different than the Highline because there is not much tree cover between sections and the temps are a tad warmer. But almost as much elevation gain as in just over half the miles! Enjoy the pics and make sure you watch my Episode III video linked below! More adventures to come!

Ruby Crest Trail, Day 3, Ruby Mountains Wilderness- August 2023

Day 3 was upon us! This will be the longest day on the trail and the most elevation gain. It is also 13 miles between accesible water so we had our work cut out for us. We awoke early and started packing it up as we had breakfast and coffee. A nice group of guys who we would see on the trail packed up to leave just as we were packing up. Kyle, who was among them let me borrow his stove before Chad had showed up allowing me to flash boil my dinner of Yellow Curry! Thank you Nicolas, Nick, Paul, and Kyle for the freindship on trail and the good company. Chad had come in the night before, so he wanted a bit of time to fish Overland Lake. Once he was done wrangling in a few Brookies, we threw on the packs and headed out on the trail.

Leaving Overland Lake, You descend into a north facing basin that is quite beautiful but rugged. The first attraction was a massive waterfall which was a place to dunk the hat and cool off as the sun was blazing us here. We moved on, passing some south bound RCT folks, and then came to our last water source till North Furlong Junction. We stopped here for a bit of a break as we both filtered 2 liters for the long wlak across the Crest. I drank a liter while filling one, then topped both bottles off and then we moved on. The extra water was no too bad of an addition to the pack, seemed managable to the ridge. This is a series of loops through small alpint basins, with some decent switchbacks to get to the ridge. Once you are on the ridge you get your first look at a seriously steep set of switchbacks which put you up to the first summit/high point. You'll feel the elevation here if you are not aclimated. I was doing fine because of the elevations I backpack here in the Wasatch and Uintas. We took a break off the first suummit. We ran into a pair of south bound hikers who were 65 and 78 years old! You guys were awesome and I hope I am still going at that age!

We were now on the Crest which this trail gets its name from. There is really no turning back or quick exits from the trail at this point. You would be best to push to North Furlong than try any other route from the Crest because North Furlong is the shortest distance. You are commited at this point. I will also say, spare a few shady trees on this section of the trail, there is no where to cover. If a thunderstorm came in, you are not going to have cover. So plan your day accordingly. We had a 0% chance in the forecast of rain, and it was supposed to be clear, and you can see convection still occured which we both felt a rain drop or two along the way. After three really big gains and long traverses inbetween, we could see Wines Peak and our last climb for the day. We both pushed it and caught up with our four freinds at the bottom of the switchbacks. Kyle was having altitude sickness.

They were certain he'd be fine, so we climbed up to the last high point to get into North Furlong on the trail! While we watied on the pass, I made the short trek to the top of Wines Peak! 10,960 ft USGS! I also traversed down the ridge a bit to shoot North Furlong Lake. Eventually our friends made it to the pass, but Kyle was not doing well. Chad had a can of Oxygen and he gave it to Kyle. He did ok minus a little vomit on the way down the switchbacks. The only thing we could do to help was get him down to lower elevation and have him rest and hydrate. Once we made it to North Furlong, our two groups seperated because they had hammocks and we had tents. We found a spot about 50 yards up from the North Furlong Junction and set up camp. I was so tired I spent the better part of the evening in my tent just relaxing. I got up after dark, made dinner, and then took a shot of the milky way and headed for bed. Day 3 was a monster, 13 miles, 5600 feet of vert! Enjoy the pics! Be sure to check out my YouTube video of this day below! More of this adventure to come!