Page Type:
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Route |
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Lat/Lon:
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40.73130°N / 110.8919°W |
Route Type:
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Hike with scrambling sections |
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Time Required:
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Half a day |
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Difficulty:
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Class 2 |
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Approach
To reach the Ruth Lake Trailhead, drive Highway 150 35 miles north, and east of Kamas or 43 miles south of Evanston. There is a sign that marks the trailhead (west side of the Highway).
Route Description
This route is also slightly more difficult than the Lofty Lake Loop Route, but it is still fairly easy.The well-used Ruth Lake Trail heads west from the trailhead (10,120 feet) for one mile to Ruth Lake (10,350 feet). The trail is an easy hike and there are only a few short uphill sections. The entire trail is very beautiful and there are views of spectacular and rugged Hayden Peak to the east. Ruth Lake itself is on a very scenic setting. From Ruth Lake, head southwest and climb to the pass visible above. There is a bit of scrambling involved, but there is nothing difficult. The pass is at 10,700 feet and is between Lofty Peak and Peak 10,975. The Lofty Lake Loop Trail is met at the pass. From the pass, follow the trail (fairly steep in places) west to the saddle between Lofty and Scout Peaks. The saddle is at 10,900 feet, so the peaks are only just over 200 feet above the pass. Lofty is the peak to the north and Scout to the south. Both are easy cross-county hikes with a few boulders. The round-trip distance is about 5.2 miles, if you climb both summits.
