RUBY RIDGE 2316m 7600’
Ruby Ridge is the watershed of Ruby Creek in the headwaters of Shannon Creek at the far north end of the Valhallas. Nearby landmarks are Rugged and Big Sister Peaks to the north, and Caribou Ridge and Shannon Lake / Mt Vingolf to the south.
Because of the structure of the ridge circling above Ruby Bowl, this hike makes a good loop. It is a lovely moderate hike with good views.
Valhalla Mountain Touring. Ruby Ridge is in the 19,000 acre tenure of Valhalla Mountain Touring (vmt.ca), a snow cat operation in the winter and hiking destination in the summer. The lodge is at a relatively low elevation (1721m). The two-story main building was constructed in 1998 by the Caton family and is now run by Jasmin Caton, an ACGM certified ski and mountain guide. The lodge has 7 bedrooms, 24/7 electricity supplied by a micro-hydro system, good wireless internet, hot and cold water and a separate sauna building.
Winter: Snow cat access means in/out no matter the weather and no weight limits. Due to lack or wind, lots of north facing terrain and many drainages, there is almost always good skiing with little sun crusting. The best skiing is mid winter powder in avalanche paths. As Jasmin has children, there is a strong emphasis on family skiing. However the alpine is hard to access with 1000’ of trees to negotiate to get to tree line.
The main skiing areas are Ruby Bowl, Shannon Lake, Little Sister Ridge, and Caribou. It is a long ways to get to the best terrain at Shannon Lake and Caribou. Farther yet are the NE face of Vingolf and the ridge south of Caribou.
Summer. VMT accesses all the hikes close by. Rugged, Big Sister and Ruby Ridge are out the door of the lodge. Shannon Lake (up Hess Creek) and Caribou Ridge (up the headwaters of Shannon Creek) have considerably longer access.
Rating: ♦♦♦♦◊
Location: South of Rugged and Big Sister peaks, the two mountains at the north end of the Valhallas and visible from Highway 6. Northwest of Shannon Lake.
Difficulty: B2 moderate off trail ridge hike
Elevation Gain: 610m 2000’
Key Elevations: Lower Road Junction 1554m 5100’; Lodge 1721m 5643’; Ruby Peak 2316m 7600’
Distance:
Time: 4-5 hours
Season: July through September
Access: 2WD low clearance on Shannon Creek FSR, Mid to High clearance up Ruby Creek to the lodge.
Map: 82F/4 Nakusp
Drive: Shannon Creek road to Caribou Creek
On Highway 6 just south of Hills (northwest of Rosebery) turn west on Bonanza Road (km 0.0).
1.0km Cross Bonanza Creek bridge on asphalt, turn right onto gravel at the beginning of the “Shannon Creek FSR”. Left goes down to the resort community at the north end of Slocan Lake.
1.45km Stay left
4.0km Go right just before the 3km marker. Left goes to Wragge Beach on Slocan Lake and the Wragge Beach Recreation Site with several campsites (fees). Can also access Wragge Lake.
6km Branch 6. Stay right on main road.
12km road marker. Go right. Left goes to Huss Creek, the Shannon Lake Trail and Mt Vingolf (look for a brown, 4×4 post with white lettering, signed “Shannon Lake”).
14.35km Go right to the VMT Lodge, the trailhead, and Big Sister and Rugged Peaks. Left continues to Caribou Pass.
15.4km Go left on worst road (grassy).
17.05km Hairpin. Go left
18.15km Park past the Valhalla Mountain Touring lodge at 6500′.
Route/Trail: From the lodge, ascend north west on their constructed trail to access the ridge. Follow Ruby Ridge as it turns south and west to the summit of Ruby Peak. Continue south on the ridge to its end. Don’t descend to “Caribou Pass” but turn left and head east down the ridge eventually reentering forest. Leave the ridge at about the level of the lodge and contour north, returning to the lodge.