Scenic Drives

LEGEND Trailhead

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SADDLE MTN.

No OHVs past this point

648

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SQUARETOP MTN.

Fish Lake Trail

11,760’

R N

Left Hand Canyon Road

660 CR

Rd

326

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Blue Creek Road

Leche Creek Trail

012

OPAL LAKE

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CO

6

Rd

656

Valle Seco Rd

VE

HARRIS LAKE BUCKLES LAKE Big Branch Road

664

BlancoRd River

653

RI

CHALK MTN. V ROCK

006 ney Flats

Ken

SOUTHERN UTE

Navajo Peaks Trail

663

NAVAJO LAKE STATE PARK

CR Trujillo Rd. 500

U SAN J

542

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359 C oyote Park Rd

4

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R E S E R V AT I O N

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CR

CR

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C O L O R A D O N E W

M E X I C O

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151

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12,495’

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Rd. Trujillo CR

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BLACKHEAD PEAK

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652

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Porcupine Road

BL

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First Fork Rd

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613

Echo Canyon Road

CR

QUARTZ LAKE

NIPPLE MTN.

M t n . Rd ppl e Ni 665

Eight Mile Mesa Rd

Burns Ca 649 nyo nR d

Quartz Ridge Trail

Rd

302

84

651

Rd

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Quartz Lake Trail

722

200

ECHO LAKE

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Coal Creek Trail

Fawn Gulch

CR

113

CR

Pagosa 5 Springs

CR

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SOUTH SAN JUAN WILDERNESS

7

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Mill Creek R d

700

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Quartz Creek Trail

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Silver Falls

666

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617

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ALBERTA LAKE

OL FC REE K SKI AREA

667

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CAPOTE LAKE

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160

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CR

146

Devil Creek Road 627

CHIMNEY ROCK NATIONAL MONUMENT

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PAGOSA LAKES

Fou rmi l e R d

Rd

628

400

STEVENS FIELD REGIONAL AIRPORT

919 Chris Mtn. 681 Road

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600

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923

CHRIS MTN.

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Pi

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Treasure Falls

160

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738

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Falls Creek Road

Windy Pass Trail

1

QUIEN SABE MTN.

DR A

039

12,033’

634

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Fo Wes rk t Rd

645

WOLF CREEK PASS 10,875’

Turkey Creek Trail

MINERAL COUNTY

631

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3

BIG MEADOW RESERVOIR

Rainbow Trail

Fourmile Falls

PAGOSA PEAK

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Beaver Creek Trail

12,640’

ARCHULETA COUNTY

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Anderson Trail

Rd

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Horse Creek

Fo ss

Water Fall

Tre a

Man s Rd u

K

Pi

629

626

Mountain Peak

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633

Piedra River Trail

661

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CR

WI L L I AMS C R E EK

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Bla c Ro k Mt ad n.

635

630

622

Non-Motorized Trail Continental Divide Trail

SE

Rd

636

P

620

Motorized Trail

Kayak/Raft Area

Road

TURKEY CREEK FOURMILE LAKE LAKES

637

SA

COLDWATER CREEK

639

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Trailer Parking

Rainbow Trail

Turkey Creek Trail

Scenic Drives Park Creek

636

Piedra

Piedra Falls

HINSDALE COUNTY

631

R VE

(4828m)

WEMINUCHE WILDERNESS

631

First Fo rk Trail

4WD Road

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640

WILLIAMS CREEK RESERVOIR

PIEDRA AREA

3 MILES

(2414m)

Scenic Overlook

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Middle Fork Trail

Horse Camp

644

1.5 MILES

Forest Service Road (unpaved)

C

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County Road

123

Mountain Bike Trail Wilderness Area National Monument

R

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Divide Lakes

231

Fishing Area

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Granite Lake

Campground

CR

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FREE MAP

Highway

160

CR

357

Chromo Navajo R

iver Rd

CR

CR

382

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Scenic Drives

Pagosa Springs has some of the best scenic drives in Colorado, surrounded by 2.5 million acres of wilderness and national forest areas. Below is a list of favorite drives in the area.

NOTE: Mileage is approximate. Please travel prepared. Most roads are dirt roads and some may not be suitable for conventional vehicles. Please verify that roads are open before leaving. Please note that navigation systems are not always reliable in our area.

EASY

M O D E R AT E

D I F F I C U LT

1. WOLF CREEK PASS (80 + miles round trip) You can easily spend a day exploring Wolf Creek Pass. Starting from Pagosa Springs, stop at Treasure Falls about 15 miles east of town. The next stop is the West Fork Valley Overlook, a scene featured in the movie “Vacation” and one certain to leave an impression. You will have a view of Treasure Falls from above and a great vantage point of the valley below.

The next stop is the Continental Divide and Wolf Creek Pass summit. As you head down the pass towards South Fork, check out Alberta Reservoir (near Wolf Creek Ski Area), Big Meadows Reservoir, or Tucker Ponds to see small alpine lakes.

EASY

M O D E R AT E

(40+ mi. round trip) This is one of the most scenic drives in the state of Colorado, especially when fall colors are bright. The route is south on Hwy 84 for eight miles to the Blanco Basin turnoff (CR 326). Follow the road to the head of the Basin and to many magnificent views of the Continental Divide, Square Top Mountain and Oil Mountain. For an even more spectacular side trip turn right onto Castle Creek Road (FS 660), cross the Rio Blanco and proceed to the end of the road at Fish Creek, approximately 6 miles. Roads are suitable for conventional vehicles. Return by the same route.

Suitable for conventional vehicles and as close to the top of the world as you can get by vehicle in this area. Turn north off US 160 at the summit of Wolf Creek Pass, follow the road up to the overlook. A spectacular vantage point, restrooms, and a picnic area are provided at the topographical crest of the mountain. A section of the Continental Divide Trail is accessible from the radio tower; parking is available. Road is accessible late June to early September.

EASY

M O D E R AT E

D I F F I C U LT

3. SUMMITVILLE - PLATORO - CUMBRES PASS - CHAMA (100+ miles - All Day Trip)

On Wolf Creek Pass, approximately 12 miles from the east side of the summit, take Park Creek Road /FS Road 380, and proceed to Summitville (mining ghost town last used in the 70s). Continue towards Elwood Pass and south to Platoro. Upon reaching Colorado Highway #17, turn right and cross Cumbres Pass. You will follow the route of the Cumbres & Toltec narrow gauge railroad to Chama, New Mexico. From there it is 48 miles back to Pagosa Springs via Hwy 84. This route is suitable for conventional vehicles.

EASY

M O D E R AT E

D I F F I C U LT

4. PAGOSA JUNCTION (45 - 50 miles round trip)

Go south on Eighth Street out of Pagosa Springs, turn right on Apache St. which becomes Trujillo Road (CR 500), through the early-day settlements of Juanita and Trujillo. See historic Pagosa Junction, in a landscape more akin to New Mexico than to Colorado. This route follows a portion of the Tracks Across Borders Scenic Byway. From there, the route goes up Cat Creek Gap (CR 700) past the now deserted Talian Mine and the Lone Tree Catholic Church, a landmark.

EASY

M O D E R AT E

D I F F I C U LT

5. MILL CREEK - NIPPLE MTN ROAD (32+ miles round trip)

From Hwy 84 turn onto Mill Creek Road (CR 302), approx. 1/4 mile south of Hwy 160. At approximately 7 miles take the right fork (FS 665) and proceed east to the Nipple Mountain area, another 12 miles. The trip will provide a vast panorama of the upper San Juan Valley. Proceed through the saddle separating Oil and Square Top Mountains. From this vantage point you will be able to observe the Blanco Basin. The road is a dead end - Return by the same route.

M O D E R AT E

D I F F I C U LT

7. EAST FORK - SILVER FALLS ELWOOD PASS QUARTZ MEADOW

D I F F I C U LT

2. LOBO OVERLOOK/RADIO TOWER (45+ miles round trip)

D I F F I C U LT

6. BLANCO BASIN

EASY EASY

M O D E R AT E

(30+ mi. round trip) From town, start by traveling twelve miles east on Hwy 160. Take a right on East Fork Road (FS 667). The first few miles of this route are suitable for most passenger vehicles, after that high clearance vehicles are recommended as there are multiple water crossings. The canyon opens up into a breathtaking river valley with impressive mountain views.

Silver Falls is located about 8 miles from Hwy 160, the trail begins on the north side of the road (left). Hike up past the old guard station about 1/8 mile to reach the base of the falls.

About 12 miles from Hwy 160, at the upper end of the valley at the fork, veer right onto FS 684 to Quartz Meadow, or left continues FS 667 towards Elwood Pass, a much more technical drive to Park Creek Road.

EASY

M O D E R AT E

D I F F I C U LT

8. PLUMTAW - PIEDRA LOOP WILLIAMS CREEK RESERVOIR

(35-60 mi. round trip) This route takes you past amazing vistas, Deb’s Historic Schoolhouse, and multiple trailheads. From Hwy 160, turn north at Lewis street and take the immediate left fork in the road. At about 1/4 mile take the right fork and follow Fourmile road (CR 400 which becomes FS 645) about 8 miles. Take the left fork and follow Plumtaw Road (FS 634) about 20 miles. Where Plumtaw Road descends to the Piedra Road, you can continue your trip in two directions Turn right to the Piedra River Trail and continue to Williams Creek Reservoir, a scenic high mountain reservoir with great fishing, hiking and camping. Turn left and you will continue back to Pagosa. The roads are suitable for all vehicles.