Ruybalid Lake

Ruybalid Lake

Ruybalid Lake is one of several seldomvisited lakes that dot the top of a large mesa on the west side of the Conejos River. Although the mesa and its environs comprise the southwestern third of the rugged San Juan Mountains and the Continental Divide runs along the west side of the mesa, the terrain here is surprisingly gentle. This part of the San Juans also receives far fewer visitors than the more challenging mountains further north, and that, for many, is part of its attraction. The wild, remote nature of the South San Juans was dramatically brought to the public’s attention in the fall of 1979, when a grizzly bear was killed about 10 miles west of Ruybalid Lake. Until then it had been almost 30 years since a grizzly had been seen in Colorado. There have not been any other confirmed grizzly sightings since than, but there is a great deal of circumstantial evidence that there are still grizzlies living in the area.

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