RC1409

Tucked into the southern foothills of Ruby Mountain, RC1409 is an out-and-back trail that begins in a broad desert valley before winding into a striking narrow canyon that begs to be explored. The route loosely follows a dry creek bed, where remnants of old mining activity can still be spotted. Near the end, the trail pinches down to a point that requires a multi-point turnaround, surrounded by piles of unusual rock formations. Along the way, RC1409 also connects with two established hiking trails that branch east and west from the route.

A few dispersed campsites can be found along the trail, but the standout is located about halfway in, while still in the open valley. There you can find a wide, flat site with room for 3–4 vehicles and long views north across distant mountains.

The trail itself is easy overall, with a mix of rocky slopes and tight turns that keep things interesting. A high-clearance two-wheel-drive vehicle can make the drive, but four-wheel drive is recommended for exploring the surrounding trails and tackling the rockier sections with confidence.