Owl Creek Pass

Owl Creek Pass

Owl Creek Pass
Owl Creek Pass

Distance

46.0 mi

Technical Rating

2 Easy

Best Time

Summer, Fall, Spring

Trail Type

Full-Width Road

Accessible By

Trail Overview

This is an enjoyable and easy 45-mile trip over Owl Creek Pass between the Uncompahgre and Cimarron Rivers. There can be a few water-filled potholes, but nothing that would stop a passenger car with reasonable clearance. Perhaps it would be muddier early in the year. John Wayne filmed scenes from both "True Grit" and "How the West Was Won" along this road. The southern portion of the trail varies from ranch land to forested mountains. Chimney Rock is a prominent landmark along this stretch. Owl Creek Pass is heavily forested at just over 10,000 feet in elevation. Silver Jack Reservoir is a fair-sized lake fed by the Cimarron River. The Cimarron Road is a wide gravel road connecting Silver Jack Reservoir to US 50 east of Montrose. This track follows the main road for a ways toward US 50 but then takes a shortcut on a good county road to reach US 50 at the Dallas Divide. There are areas of private land with cabins and lodges, and also large expanses of open range land.

Weather

Status Reports

Taylor Tindall
Oct 17, 2024
2024 Ford Bronco
Open
Normal
R Staz
Sep 07, 2024
2012 Jeep Wrangler
Open
Began the route on 10 by Ridgeway State Park. It increases in elevation t9 about 10,000 feet. Overall essentially a gravel road with some washboard. Some traffice but lighter. Decent views along the route as you move from ranchland to mountains. 4wd wasnt needed. Conditions were dry. The majority of vehicles appeared to be hunters.
David Barth
Jun 09, 2024
2020 Triumph Tiger 900
Open
Normal
Clear and dry on both sides of the pass. Snow fields and some mud if you turn south at the top of the pass onto CR-H1. Overall the trail is in great condition and it was green and beautiful up there.
Ale Chirinos
May 18, 2024
4x4
Temporarily Closed
Weather Event
deep snow