Ruby Crest Trail

The majestic Ruby Crest Trail is a challenging high-elevation trail perfect for the most ambitious furry adventurers and their hiking companions. There is so much beauty here. Aspen groves burst into bright color in the fall and wildflowers bloom in late summer. Streams run through scrubby sagebrush meadows and green-blue lakes form hidden oases in bowls of mountain rock. 

You'll feel like you're at the top of the world along this trail that varies in altitude from 7200 feet to 10,900 feet. The Ruby Mountains are sometimes called "The Alps of Nevada." Though much of the trail runs through arid areas, higher elevation areas yield sights more typical of those European mountains, including steep grassy meadows where bighorn sheep graze.

The high altitude presents a number of challenges, from heat and UV exposure in the summer to snowy conditions in the winter. To complete the full trail, most people will need to spend a few nights camping along the way. People who have hiked the trail frequently recommend the campsites at Overland Lake as the best along the route. If you decide to camp, you'll be treated to amazing views of the starry sky at night.

Most people who have hiked the Ruby Crest Trail recommend starting at the southern trailhead at Harrison Pass and moving north to the trail's end near the end of Lamoille Canyon Road. It's also recommended to have a vehicle parked and waiting for you at the trail's end. Of course, it's possible to start at either trailhead and go a shorter distance before turning back and returning to where you parked. No matter how you do it, the time you spend with your pup in this unspoiled wilderness is guaranteed to inspire you and strengthen your bond.