Located halfway to Jewel Lake, the Ruby Jewel Yurt is nestled in a dense lodgepole forest - ideal for mountain biking or mountain climbing. Unlimited access to high alpine bowls and exciting ridges tempt more skillful skiers, but there's plenty of easier skiing near the yurt.
***Please note that the summer access road from County Road 41 to the yurts is opened/closed due to weather accessibility, by the Parks. There is not a set day for this to occur. Refunds WILL NOT be given for bookings in transition seasons. Just because it is driveable in October/November and again in May/June does not mean the summer access road will be open. PLEASE CHECK THE RESOURCES PAGE FOR SUMMER ACCESS ROAD OPEN/CLOSURES.***
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PLEASE check the weather and road conditions on the resources page for the most up to date information before your stay.
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Pets are permitted at all Never Summer Yurts only from June-September (May-November if snow is gone).
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Sleeps 5: Singles (3), Doubles (1) - Two additional floor pads are provided (if people sleeping on floor, the yurt is very crowded).
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Includes: Mattresses and pillows, chopped firewood (limited in summer), propane, propane light, propane cooktop, wood burning stove, snow melt pot, all kitchen pots and pans, all kitchenware, limited paper towels, limited toilet paper, limited matches and newspaper, limited dish soap and sponges, kitchen towels, snow shovel, maul and axe, coffee percolator, fire extinguisher, outdoor charcoal grill (charcoal not included), outside food storage box, table and chairs, outhouse, and yurt journal. Click to open winter/summer pack lists below.
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YOU are responsible for bedding*, food, and water (in winter, use snow melt). *bedding may be rented from us at $25/stay.
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We are a backcountry RUSTIC setting lodging company and concessionaire of Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
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NONE of our units have running water OR electricity; Our friends at the Hilton Fort Collins do.
WINTER trips to ruby jewel
Winter Access: 2 miles (See ***note*** above)
Winter Trailhead: Jackson County Road 41, 5 miles from the main park entrance on the right side of CR 41 at the sign for the Jewel Lake Road.
Elevation: 9,600'
Elevation Gain/Loss: +584'/-99'
Difficulty: Novice/Intermediate
Avalanche Danger: None to yurt; Avalanche danger along trail to Jewel lake
Winter Trail Use: Ski and snowshoe
Use Levels: Mainly used by yurt customers only; Some limited day skiing
Water: Snow melt (reason pets are not allowed in winter), specified pot included in yurt. Boil for 4-5 minutes before drinking.
SUMMER trips to ruby jewel
Summer Access: 4WD (or high clearance) vehicle access to yurt or 1.5 mile hike from 2WD access (See ***note*** above)
Summer Trailhead: Jackson County Road 41, 5 miles from the main park entrance on right side of CR 41 at the sign for the Jewel Lake Road.
GPS Coordinates: 40 34'58.37"N ; 105 57'49.06"W
Elevation: 9,600'
Elevation Gain/Loss: +70'
Difficulty: Novice
Summer Trail Use: 4WD Vehicles, Hike, Horse, Bike
Trail Use Levels: Heavy weekend use
Water: Pack in water, Potable water station at the Reservoir on County Road 41. Also, creek just across road past Clark Peak Yurt, 100 yards.
AREA TRAILS AND ATTRACTIONS
Jewel Lake: From the yurt, Jewel Lake is 2.25 miles with about 2,000' in elevation gain. Jewel Lake is a small alpine lake that sits at treeline and will probably be snowed in until July. This is the best access point to climb Clark Peak as well. In winter, there is good skiing on the bowl and good tree skiing just below the lake. There can be significant avalanche danger!
Margie's Knoll: This ridge stretches out to the southwest of Jewel Lake. Access Margie's Knoll off the Jewel lake Trail about 1.75 miles above the Ruby Jewel Yurt. There is excellent skiing on the west and east aspects of the ridge. There can be significant avalanche danger!
Hut to Hut
North Fork Canadian Yurt: From the Ruby Jewel Yurt, this is an easy 3.5 mile descent. There are also some nice ridges for tele skiing when you get closer to the North Fork End. Recommend having a second vehicle at the North Fork Trailhead since the trip back up hill is not as fun!
Montgomery Pass Yurts: It is about 3.5 miles over to the Montgomery Pass Yurts via the "Cow Trail". The Cow Trail is a scenic trail that takes off from the Ruby Jewel Trail just below the Ruby Jewel Yurt and follows the 9600' contour line over to the Montgomery Pass Trail about a quarter mile above the yurts. There are two nice meadows close to the Montgomery Pass Trail that make good practice runs for tele turns.
Grass Creek Yurt: This is a fairly easy 3.5 mile trip. The connecting trail leaves the Ruby Jewel Trail about three-quarters of a mile from the trailhead. The trail cuts across a meadow over to the Bockman Campground Road (also the Montgomery Pass Yurt Trail) and runs parallel to the county road over to the North Michigan Reservoir and the Grass Creek Trail.