Owl Creek Pass

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4.3/5 (23 reviews)
Ridgway, Colorado (Ouray County)
Last Updated: 05/24/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

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.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.3/5 (23)
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/21/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Road was clear and dry today. Cattle drive season is on, so watch for cows, herd dogs and cow wranglers as cattle get moved. Road can get a bit confusing because it isn't marked extremely well, leaving you to second guess yourself and the GPS, but it all works out.
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Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 08/17/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Well maintained trail. Very scenic. Capable in a stock vehicle.
Trail Review: Owl Creek Pass - Bill Mehas
Trail Review: Owl Creek Pass - Bill Mehas
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Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 08/02/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Used this and Silver Jack as the scenic route back east from the San Juans. Wide open, washout was surprisingly light after how muddy it was earlier this year. A few hikers, bikers, and passenger vehicles, just an easy cruise uphill through Colorado mountainside, no 4wd or high clearance required. Cows, flowers, trees, stunning views of Courthouse, and then boom you're there! Actually got high-centered on ice for a couple of hours on this trail back in June after running Cinnamon Pass about 100 yards from the gate. Both roads were listed as "Open" at the time, and I discovered that means the gate is unlocked. Just past the gate was still a 6 foot tall field of frozen snow in every direction. Also saw what my wife and I, after having encountered several bears here, are determined was a juvenile grizzly padding through the woods. Cannot confirm, he was shy and took off before we could get the cameras out, but I have seen several 'blonde' black bears from cubs to teens, and this was different. Keep your kids close 😁
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 07/12/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

A very iconic trail. I cannot wait to come back in the fall when the aspens turn.
Trail Review: Owl Creek Pass - Dirty Chuckwalla
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 06/30/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Nice and scenic trail/road. Beautiful views and the wildflowers are amazing. Some trail traffic of mostly full size vehicles with trailers. Lots of blind turns and some reckless oncoming drivers made for a few skipped heartbeats so be safe.

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