Owl Creek Pass
Gunnison County, Colorado
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Nearby Towns: Montrose, Ridgeway
Nearby Trails: Blue Mesa Cutoff, Alpine Plateau
Trail Length: 42.22 miles
Elevation: 7,037 to 10,050 feet

If you are traveling to the Ouray area, this is a great diversion. It cuts off the corner of highway where Montrose is, adding only about four additional miles to your trip. However, the travel is much slower so it will add more time. The trip is quite worth it, because it provides some views unlike anything else in the area.

The trail starts on Highway 50 east of Montrose and west of the Blue Mesa Reservoir. It travels south for a little more than half the trail before it turns west for the remainder of the trail. Much of the first few miles of trail are through residential areas and privately owned land.

There are quite a few campgrounds to be found after the residential areas have been passed, and some offer pit toilets. There are many lakes and fabulous views of High Mesa to the east.

You may want to take a short side trip to Silver Jack Reservoir, found 16.7 miles from the trailhead. This reservoir is large, with some great fishing.

Just past the turnoff for Silver Jack Reservoir is the Alpine Trail hiking trail and then a large pulloff with parking. This scenic area is a great place to view the Cimarron Ridge, a series of spikey and very interesting rocks. This is a great place to stop for lunch.

Continuing on, the trail circles around and climbs to Owl Creek Pass where there is a pit toilet. Cross into Ouray County as you follow the trail as it turns west.

Note Chimney Rock, a formation that is impossible to miss. It is a very tall and cylindrical rock that dominates the mountain next to it, Courthouse Mountain. This area is obviously very popular with climbers.

As the trail continues east, you work your way down into the trees. There is an area marked as Vista Point, a small turnaround. The views of Ridgeway and the valley below may be better from the trail than they are from this parking area, however.

As you continue west, you work your way through residential areas. There is nowhere to air up at this end, so you may need to travel for a bit on pavement until you find a suitable shoulder. Turn right to go north on Highway 550 to Montrose, or turn left to go south to Ridgeway, Ouray and Silverton.

Information last updated on September 7th, 2008.

Member Reports

• August 26, 2008: ran by Don, Michael, Monica and Walt

Driving Directions

From Gunnison, travel 42.6 miles west on Highway 50 to the trailhead. From Montrose, travel 22 miles east on Highway 50 to the trailhead.

Meeting Places

Meet at the Conoco gas station on Tomichi Avenue in Gunnison.