Trail Overview
The Ruby Mine Trail offers a short but thrilling off-road detour for high-clearance 4x4 vehicles looking to explore historic mining ruins and a scenic waterfall up close in Colorado's rugged San Juan Mountains. Branching off Maggie Gulch Road, this roughly 0.3-mile out-and-back spur sits at an elevation of over 10,300 feet and provides a dramatic, tight-squeeze passage through a steep mountain valley. The route begins with a descent toward a small creek crossing, which can swell to several feet deep depending on seasonal snowmelt and flash flood conditions. Navigating this trail requires caution, as the narrow path offers absolutely no opportunities for passing oncoming vehicles, making it critical to scout ahead for traffic before turning off the main road.
As you approach the end of the trail near the historic Ruby Mine site, you will encounter a tight turnaround area surrounded by dramatic mountain slopes and the roaring waterfall. The terrain features a primary surface of dirt, loose rock, and gravel, with a technical rating of 5 due to the water crossing, potential trail blockages from fallen trees after heavy rains, and the sheer lack of maneuverability. High-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles or capable OHVs are highly recommended to negotiate the rocky obstacles and steep gradients, which reach up to a maximum angle of nearly 33 degrees. This short spur is an excellent side trip while exploring the larger Maggie Gulch network, combining spectacular alpine views of Middle Mountain with a close-up look at Silverton's rich mining history.
History
The trail leads to the historic Ruby Mine, a late 19th-century mining operation situated in Maggie Gulch near Silverton, Colorado. This area was part of the San Juan silver rush, where miners extracted silver, gold, and other precious metals from the steep, rugged mountainsides.
Access Description
The Ruby Mine Trail is located within the San Juan National Forest and is typically accessible from late spring through autumn, depending on snowpack. A high-clearance 4WD vehicle or OHV is required to traverse the narrow path and the creek crossing. There are no permits or fees required to access this trail, but visitors must respect private property boundaries around the historic mining structures.
