19-May-2002 -- After a late start, my brother-in-law visiting from Georgia and I left the Yellowstone area on Sunday, May 19, 2002 and headed towards our goal. From West Yellowstone we traveled towards Henry’s Lake, ID, through the Centennial Valley and Red Rocks Wildlife Refuge, north along the Ruby River and parked at the trailhead. We could have driven almost all the way to the degree confluence, but the road was closed to motorized travel until July 1 to reduce the disturbance to calving elk. The walk is a casual 2.5 mile uphill climb following a double track with an elevation gain of approximately 1100 feet. At 1.75 miles (from the Ruby River Road) the double track road makes a hard left, with forward direction being permanently closed to motorized travel. We maintained our forward (westward) and upward direction. The degree confluence was only slightly off this current track and was set in the trees just below the Snowcrest Mountains. While the view from the actual confluence is located in the trees, the view to and from the confluence is beautiful.