Owl Creek Pass

If stunning scenery, cool mountain air, and marvelous forests are your pleasure, then Owl Creek Pass Road is a must-do for you while visiting southwestern Colorado. While not as scenic as many of the other mountain passes around the Ridgeway/Ouray area, the views are far less difficult to get to than those other places. Most of the ride is on narrow well maintained dirt road that offers glimpses of the Courthouse Mountains and Chimney Rock. In the summer, you will be treated to flowing mountain streams and endless wildflowers nestled amongst the thick mature stands of Aspen, Spruce, and Box Alder trees. John Wayne filmed scenes from both True Grit and How the West Was Won along this road. (Can you find some locations?) You may recognize Chimney Rock in the highlight photo in some of his scenes. Bring a lunch, you'll want to stop by the cool mountain stream that runs through the pass and enjoy the quiet.