HD 471 covers the Ruby Range west of Sheridan and Alder—a compact, north-south running range between the Ruby Valley and the Big Hole drainage. Elevations run from about 5,000 feet on the Ruby River and Madison-side valleys to 10,294 feet on Stine Mountain, the range high point. The Ruby Range is granite-cored with rolling timbered ridges and big grassy parks at mid-elevation; lower flanks are open Douglas fir and limber pine parkland with sage benches; the high country breaks into spruce-fir and alpine meadow. The Robber's Roost area on the east side has historical and outlaw color (Henry Plummer's gang ran the country in the 1860s). Old mining ruins from the Virginia City-Alder Gulch boom are scattered throughout. The Ruby Range holds a moderate elk population, good mule deer, and is an underrated mountain goat unit (transplanted population). Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF on the high country, BLM scattered, and private ranches in the Ruby Valley—old MT cattle outfits and a few large recreational holdings. MT-287 along the Ruby is the paved spine; forest roads from Alder and from the Big Hole side provide access. Sheridan has gas, the cafe, basic groceries; Twin Bridges is north on MT-41; Virginia City east on MT-287 is the historic territorial-capital tourist town with limited but real services. Cell service holds along MT-287 and dies in the range. Block Management opens up some Ruby Valley ranch ground. The Ruby Range is overlooked compared to the Madisons and the Gravellies; for a hunter willing to walk past the obvious trailheads, the unit produces real animals with much less pressure.