Overview
Ruby Mountain is the southern end of Grays Peak's long south ridge, above the Peru Creek road east of Keystone. From the end of the road near the Shoe Basin Mine, you go through some willows and climb a wide, grassy south-facing flank that narrows to a ridge near the top.
It is Class 2, steep but easy, with loose chip rock in the last few hundred feet.
The round trip is about 2.4 miles with 2,180 feet of gain; many people do it in under four hours.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be on the summit by 11 a.m.
Loose chip rock near the top.
Easy. Head west uphill through the willows, perhaps in a shallow dry drainage, then northwest along the southeast ridge line.
Peru Creek. Filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
Peru Creek (Shoe Basin Mine)
From US 6 at the west end of Keystone, take the Montezuma Road about 4.3 miles and turn left into a big parking area at the start of dirt road 260 (Peru Creek).
Follow Peru Creek Road past the Lenawee trailhead (1.6 miles), Warden Gulch (2.1) and Chihuahua Gulch (2.2), and go straight at the Cinnamon Gulch turnoff (about 3.7). The road gets rockier, but careful drivers of higher-clearance SUVs can usually reach the parking at road's end near the Shoe Basin Mine. A gate usually closes the road just beyond.
There are primitive campsites along Peru Creek, but also many private mining claims and cabins; respect the signs.
Base towns and camping for this climb
Coming from out of state? See Lodging & Camping for how free camping works, what is closed this year and where to stay.
Before you go
Check these the week of your climb.
Official forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for the summit area, hour by hour. Look for thunderstorm chances and wind above treeline.
NWS point forecast →Directions to the trailhead
Peru Creek (Shoe Basin Mine). Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Get directions →Roads and highways
Closures, construction and winter conditions on the highways that get you there.
COtrip road conditions →Closures and fire rules
Trail closures, fire bans and other alerts from the Forest Service in Colorado. For the latest on your trailhead, call the local ranger district.
Forest Service alerts →Snow on the route?
From fall through early summer, any snow slope can slide. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.
Avalanche forecast →Cell signal
Most trailheads and many summits have little or no signal. Check coverage near the trailhead and carry a satellite messenger or beacon if you can.
FCC coverage map →