Round Trip Distance: 4.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 7951 - 9111 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 3 hrs.
Trailhead: Ruedi
Fee: none
Attractions: Forest hike, scenic views
The Ruedi trail is located east of Basalt, Colorado in the White River National Forest. Beginning off of the Fryingpan Road near Ruedi Reservoir the trail climbs through a lovely forest of aspen, pine and spruce trees where after a little over 2 miles it reaches an overlook of Ruedi Reservoir, that is a little off in the distance to the east, and a dramatic view of the confluence of the Fryingpan River and Rocky Fork Creek at the base of the dam directly below. A short distance past the overlook the trail connects with a road and the trail that leads on up Red Hill for another 5 miles.
The trailhead is at a small pullout that is a little past the turnoff to the Mollie B Campground about 14 miles east of Basalt. Only 2 or 3 vehicles can fit at the trailhead pullout requiring others to find suitable places where they can park without obstructing traffic.
The trail starts out on a moderate slope as it begins climbing away from the trailhead.
An obvious path left by countless hikers over the years makes the trail easy to follow.
The surroundings vary as the forest alternates between brighter groves of aspens and darkers stands of pine trees. It's not uncommon to see deer nearby during the morning and late afternoon times of the day.
Switchbacks allow the trail to gently sweep its way up the side of the mountain at a relatively easy pace.
It's hard to find an unobstructed view of Ruedi Reservoir. This photo was taken from an area just past the 2 mile point.
There's a nice dizzying view of the base of the dam where the Rocky Fork Creek flows into the Fryingpan River at the spillway.
Further to the east beyond Ruedi Reservoir the high ridgeline of the Continental Divide can be seen where it separates the Leadville area on the Eastern Slope from the Fryingpan Valley on the western.
Fred Flintstone never had a better couch.
Another quarter mile or so past the overlook the trail passes a radio tower and connects to a road that it crossed earlier. For this hike it seemed like a good place to turn around.
