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| Via Cooper Mountain   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Route Type: Hiking Season: Summer, Fall Time Required: Half a day Difficulty: Class 2
| Route Quality: | | | | Loading...
| Page By: mtnhiker13 Created/Edited: Aug 24, 2009 / Aug 23, 2010 Object ID: 544644 Hits: 790 Loading... Page Score: 86.99% - 5 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
OverviewEver since Ruby Mountain was added to SP by preeminent member Bob Sihler, I have watched for the Cooper Mountain option to be added. Well, after returning from our climb of the route, I saw that it never happened! For those seeking absolute solitude, this is the ticket. Our hiking group, The Usual Suspects, favors the path less traveled. Look in Colorado's forgotten corners and if you're lucky, that is where you'll find us. The Cooper Mountain option to Ruby Mountain is such a place.
Ruby Mountain from Cooper Summit |
The nice thing about this route (if you like steep terrain) is that you gain most of your altitude right off the bat, and within an hour, most of your work is done and you can enjoy a pleasant stroll above timberline with awesome views surrounding you, including a spectacular view of nearby 14ers Grays and Torreys Peaks. Several nice descent options are available as well, which would also serve as nice ascent routes as well. Some of these options are discussed in the climber's logs for Ruby Mountain. Be prepared for very steep terrain, particularly near the base of either mountain.
If there's any doubt of the "quality solitude" you'll have on this route, simply inquire at the register we were surprised to find resting on the summit. The register dated back 20 years. Some years, only three people or less climbed the mountain. Other years saw no visitors on top of Cooper. We were surprised not to find a register on Ruby's summit. If you like having the mountain to yourself, this route's for you!
This page originally composed by Aaron Johnson.Getting ThereSee the GETTING THERE section on the main page, although do not drive all the way up the Peru Creek road. Park at the Chihuahua Jeep road turn-off, where the route begins.
Route Description  Ascending Cooper SW Ridge
 Ascending Cooper SW Ridge
 Cooper-Ruby Descent to South Basin
Follow the Chihuahua jeep road north for only .4 mile, watching for a hard right up a closed mining road. A large, round boulder has been placed there to block vehicular access. The road has not been used for a long time and is reverting to trail status. It's easy to walk right by it, so stay sharp.
Follow the old road bed. It switchbacks once up the mountain. Right before it enters some trees, leave the road and climb directly up the steep tundra slope (emphasis on "steep" here).
Assume the southwest ridge at around 11,800 feet, just to the right of a talus and boulder field below some cliff faces to your left. Once on the ridge, it's Class 2 to the summit portion of the ridge. Some fun Class 3 possibiities linger nearby, but are brief.
The Class 1 stroll to Cooper's summit is delightful, and the summit register is entertaining, to say the least.
Continue northeast on the gentle ridge to the saddle, dropping about 100 feet, passing by some mining remnants and a collapsed mining shaft. Scramble over 6 fun rocky knolls (Class 2), after which it is a mellow stroll to the top of Ruby.
To decsend, a number of options are available. The south ridge leading from the summit would likely be a rather pleasant scree ski to steep tundra below, leading in to the east side of the basin below. Two other tundra options extend from the Copper portion of the ridge back into the valley. You'll spot them as you execute this route.
This route utilizes the option that drops from the saddle between the two mountains. Return over the rocky knolls to the saddle and follow a spotty band of tundra as it descends into the basin, aiming for a small outcropping of rocks. Descend along side these rocks, crossing a packed scree slope that the goats have created looking for salt. On the other side of this scree run, descend directly south on tundra, staying right of the willows.
Pass a huge triangular shaped boulder and channel yourself into a shallow gully. It looks like the land drops away like a cliff, but fear not, it's just more steep tundra. Wind your way down through this steep section, avoiding krumholtz and various other obstacles with ease. You can descend to the road, or angle right when the slope becomes less steep, aiming for an old mining area. Pass through this mining locale (long abandoned) and cut across a field of grass and perhaps flowers to intercept the road at mile 4.5.
Walk the road back to your vehicle. Watch for ATVs, jeeps, trucks, and perhaps rabid campers.
Cooper-Ruby Route Map |
DISTANCE: 5.7 miles, Class 2
GAIN: 2,978 feet Essential GearStandard dayhiking gear will do. A map and compass/GPS unit are a good idea if weather should impair your visibility while on the mountain.
This is not a safe route for a winter climb.External LinksAdd External Links text here. Images
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Front Range (CO)
