Big Ruby
Highlights & Remarkable Spots
The Ghost Town of Ruby / ~ Mile 15
The first Europeans to visit the Ruby area were Spanish conquistadors in the late 1500s. In the 19th century, the region was referred to as “Oro Blanco,” or white gold, after a distinctive light-colored strain. Later, as colonists moved west, there was an influx of adventurers, mountain men, ranchers and miners. The first strike in the Montana’s vein was in the late 1870s, and by the turn of the century, the town of Ruby had become the largest mining camp in the area. Ruby was once the largest lead and zinc producing mine in the state of Arizona.
Mexican Free Tail Bats / ~ Mile 15
A colony of Mexican Free Tail Bats inhabits Ruby’s abandoned mine shafts from May to September each year. Estimates of the colony range from 90,000 to as high as 150,000 animals, representing a nightly appetite for up to a 1/2 ton of insects. This is considered a maternal colony, and they produce their young in June and leave for parts south in late August. Contact the caretaker at Ruby to make arrangements to see this sight.
When We Like to Ride This
Late fall to early spring when the skies are clear and the temps are moderate. We would avoid this route in summer as it is very exposed to the sun. Wind could also make this route brutal. Do the route when the ghost town of Ruby is open for touring, otherwise the turn around point will feel a bit anticlimactic.
Terrain & Riding
For the full route details and logistics read the Ruby South and Ruby North descriptions. The beginning of the route is Ruby South with the paved extension at the start. The loop portion of the route is from Ruby North but is ridden in the opposite direction, clockwise.
The Start
Calabasas Group camping site just off Highway 289. Pit toilets. Seasonal.
Lat / Long: 31.387419, -111.051412
Food & Water
- None.
Route Notes
The route will work you. There is nothing flat about it.
The route is suited for big tires. 40 mm is pretty much the minimum you want. 650b’s with a 50 mm tire or 29’ers with 2.1’s would be even better!
Be warned, there is no water on the route unless you filter from a creek. And who knows if the creeks are flowing.
Love Where You Ride! Learn More
One of the key highlights of this ride is the ghost town of Ruby, where you get to look back at over a century of Arizona’s mining history. Once a thriving community of 1,200 people to a modern-day ghost town, the trip to Ruby is sure to be unforgettable. To visit, you need to pay and get a permit. Their gates are open from 9 am to dusk Thursday through Sunday for self-guided tours.
Videos
Riding to Ruby
A quick video highlighting the ride out to the ghost town of Ruby.
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