Ruby's Ladder & Tramway

Ruby's Ladder
& Cable Tramway

Moab
Mining Relic

Ruby's Ladder and Tramway is an interesting relic left from 1903. This is a roadside attraction the entire family can enjoy. The adventure is a nice way to spend a few minutes and ponder what life on the Colorado Plateau was like in the early 1900's.

General Information:
Ruby's Ladder and Tramway is located at the head of Seven Mile Canyon and can easily be visited by all family members. A trip to explore the area requires about 15 minutes. Binoculars are useful for viewing the lower ladder and tramway. The relic is accessible year round in all weather conditions.

A GPS is useful in verifying you are at the correct location. The USGS 7.5' Map titled "Jug Rock" shows the area described. All waypoints and maps use the WGS84 datum.

This roadside attraction is a short stop for anyone visiting Dead Horse Point State Park or the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park.

History:
From what I have been able to learn so far it appears the ladders and cable tramway were built by Glen Ruby in 1903. I'm not sure what the system was used for but I'm guessing the cable tramway was used to bring water up to the canyon rim because the tramway bottoms out next to a spring. I assume the ladders were used to service the tramway. I have been told the water was used for drilling on the top of the mesa, but I have not been able to verify any of this information.

Trailhead Information:
This roadside attraction is located just outside of Moab on the road to Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands Island in the Sky District. The trailhead is accessible to all vehicles, year round, via a paved highway.

From Moab head north out of town on U.S. Highway 191. Cross the bridge over the Colorado River. After crossing the bridge continue north for 8.3 miles to the junction with State Road 313, signed Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands. Turn west (left) on State Road 313 and follow it for 6.8 miles to mile marker 15.7 (N38° 38' 08", W109° 46' 36") and a dirt road exiting the north (right) side of the highway. Those with passenger cars might want to park here and hike the remaining distance. Those with a high clearance vehicle should have no problem driving right to the top of the tramway.

From the paved highway, follow the dirt road north for 0.3 miles to a fork in the road (N38° 38' 17", W109° 46' 24"). Take the east (right) fork and continue following the dirt road an additional 0.5 miles to where the road ends. This is the trailhead and is identified by and old A-frame and timbers on the ground that made up the top of the tramway.

Route Information:
There is no hiking involved with this route unless you are extremely energetic and feel like scrambling down the cliffs to the base of the old tramway. Everyone else will want to explore the area from the canyon rim. The tramway has fallen to the ground, but the cables are still present and define the route, which bottoms out at a spring. Originally there were two long wooden ladders that provided easy access through the cliff bands. The upper ladder has now fallen and is easy to locate if you look over the cliff from the trailhead. The second ladder is still standing intact and is best seen from the rim by walking around to the head of Seven Mile Canyon. Please take only pictures and leave only footprints.

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