Owl Creek Pass provides an alternate route from US Highway 550 in Ridgeway to US Highway 50 near Cimaron. Taking this route bypasses Montrose and provides for a very scenic day.  When we drove it in our Toyota FJ Cruiser last week it took only about 45 additional minutes. 

View Driving South on Cimaron Road

The road is graded gravel and a normal sedan would have made it just fine on the day we drove the route. However, conditions of any Colorado back county road can change overnight or with a single good rain storm.

The route is accessed from US Highway 50 via the Cimaron Road which is about 3 miles east of Cimaron. Access from US Highway 550 is via County Road 10 about 2 miles north of Ridgeway.  Once on the road the signs are fairly good and the route well marked.

Camping is available along the way at Silver Jack Reservoir in a a large forest service campground and there is a large area south of the reservoir where undeveloped camping is available.   If you have the time I recommend spending a few days hiking and fishing in the area. At the end of the canyons there are tail heads available for hiking into the Uncompahgre wilderness area.  

Driving this route provides outstanding views of dramatically carved cliffs large aspen groves and pine forests.

The top of Owl Creek Pass provides outstanding views Chimney Rock and the Mountains to the south. During the wildflower season you will enjoy fields of rainbow colors.