The Ruby Reservoir & River

This small river originates in the Snowcrest Mountains and flows north for about 40 miles before reaching Ruby Reservoir. Below the reservoir it flows another 25 miles before meeting the Beaverhead. The river above the reservoir is small with sharp bends, barbed wire, and occasional obstructions. It requires small crafts and large patience; it's often too low to float by August. Almost all floating on the Ruby takes place below the reservoir.

The Shoshone Indians called this river Passamari, meaning "water of the cottonwood groves." When Lewis and Clark passed through, Captain Lewis named it Philanthropy, in respect to what he considered one of Thomas Jefferson's three cardinal virtues (he named the Big Hole River "Wisdom" and the Jefferson River, "Philosophy").
Pioneers later downgraded the name to Stinkingwater River after a large number of buffalo carcasses befouled the water one spring. Now it's called the Ruby for the garnets which sharp-eyed people still pick out of the stream's gravel.

Excerpted from Paddling Montana by Hank Fisher
(Copyright 2000, Falcon Publishing, Inc.)

We spent a Sunday afternoon taking a drive with the Williamsons to the Ruby Reservoir and then spent couple hours on the river while the guys fished at a local rancher's place.

The Ruby Reservoir

Great afternoon for a ride/nap

Very thankful to have these slow-paced days to enjoy the outdoors in Big Sky country.