Ruby Range (Montana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ruby Range |
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 Ruby Range
Location in Montana
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Ruby Peak |
| Elevation | 9,391 ft (2,862 m) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
The Ruby Range is a group of mountains found in Montana, a state in the western United States. These mountains are located in Madison and Beaverhead counties. You can find them east of the town of Dillon and southwest of Sheridan.
The tallest point in the Ruby Range is called Ruby Peak. It stands at about 9,391 feet (2,862 meters) high. This peak is in the northeast part of the mountain range. Another important peak is Gordon Peak, which is about 8,478 feet (2,584 meters) tall. It is located in the southwest part of the range, southeast of Dillon. The Ruby Range stretches for about 26.5 miles (42.7 kilometers) from the northeast to the southwest.
Contents
Exploring the Ruby Range
The Beaverhead River flows to the northwest of these mountains. The Ruby River runs along the southeast and east sides of the range. You'll also find the Ruby Reservoir on the southeast side. A stream called Blacktail Deer Creek drains the southwest part of the range. The Blacktail Mountains are located to the southwest. To the northeast, you'll see the Tobacco Root Mountains, and to the east, the Greenhorn Range.
Who Owns the Land?
Most of the Ruby Range is owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This is a government agency that manages public lands. A large part of the BLM land here, about 26,611 acres, is protected as a Wilderness Study Area. This means it's kept wild and natural, with limited human activity, so that its wilderness qualities can be studied and possibly preserved for the future.
Mountain Environment
The Ruby Mountains are known for being quite dry, so there aren't many natural springs. The land is very steep, especially in the northern areas. More than half of the land is above 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) in height. Because the soil is shallow, many of the trees here are not very tall.
Despite the dry conditions, there are many trees covering the mountains. You'll find Douglas-fir trees, lodgepole pine trees, and spruce trees. On the highest slopes, there are large groups of limber pine trees. These pines grow among small open areas called "parks." This type of habitat is more common much farther south.
Unique Features and Wildlife
The Ruby Range has some cool natural features. You can see free-standing rock walls, caves, tall cliffs, and slopes covered in loose rocks called talus.
The mountains are also home to various animals. You might spot a few elk, which are large deer. There's also a big herd of mule deer. The area is a great place for blue grouse, a type of bird.
