We went to the old Rubys Ladder Route in Upper Sevenmile Canyon (the Moab one, not the Powell one) yesterday and found that the upper ladder had collapsed.   You can still climb down in at least two places, but the route is much more difficult now.  Makes me feel old.   Many of the old “historic routes” and objects are now gone.  Swaseys Leap Bridge, Chaffin Ranch, the Knotted Rope, much of the old Tomsich Butte stuff, and now the Rubys Ladders.  I hear much of the old Art Murrys Cable Bypass Route has collapsed too.
Yahoo Canyons Group
scott patterson
“Been awhile since i have been to Tomsich Butte. What is gone?”
Back when we were kids or young teenagers, there used to be a lot more cabins around there, plus the army surplus truck which is mostly gone now.
“I know nothing of the other three.  Care to fill me in on it and the history?”Â
Rubys Ladders are (or were) at the head of Sevenmile Canyon. Â The highway to Island in the Sky goes through part of Sevenmile before climbing to the head. Â The ladders were built in the early 1930’s in order to get water to some old oil wells. Â Â The same Ruby who built them is the Ruby who the Ruby Ranch at the beginning of Labyrinth Canyon is named after.
The Upper Ladder has collapsed, though the lower one still exist. Â They were still usable 20 years ago, the last time I was there before yesterday. Â Â
Chaffin Ranch was just north of the San Rafael River near Moonshine and Three Canyons. Â It is where the Chaffin Geyser is. Â Sometime in the 1990’s, it was burned and bulldozed.
Art Murry’s (also spelled Murray) Cable bypass trail exits Taylor Canyon (Island in the Sky) via the first side canyon on the left from the river. Â Â Art Murry’s Cabin was at the mouth of Upheaval Canyon. Â The Cable Bypass Trail was an incredibly impressive trail and route that cut off many miles over using the Horsethief Trail (which is now the road to Mineral Bottom). Â It was built around 1930 and consist of a rough route with several cables that climbs up the cliff. Â Latest report is that part of the route has fallen away, but I haven’t been there in several years now. Â Â
RAM
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, scott patterson wrote:
We went to the old Rubys Ladder Route in Upper Sevenmile Canyon (the Moab one, not the Powell one) yesterday and found that the upper ladder had collapsed.   You can still climb down in at least two places, but the route is much more difficult now. >  > Makes me feel old.   Many of the old “historic routes” and objects are now gone.  Swaseys Leap Bridge, Chaffin Ranch, the Knotted Rope, much of the old Tomsich Butte stuff, and now the Rubys Ladders.  I hear much of the old Art Murrys Cable Bypass Route has collapsed too.
I know about the Swaseys Leap (saw a friend do it,. Not me no thank you! I know the Knotted Rope. Reminded me of gym ropes Been awhile since i have been to Tomsich Butte. What is gone? I know nothing of the other three. Care to fill me in on it and the history? Thanks Scott Ram