All of these lines across my face - tell you the story of who I am - so many stories of where I've been - and how I got to where I am - but these stories don't mean anything - when you've got no one to tell them to - it's true - I was made for you. B. Carlile

Sunday, June 3, 2012

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.