Fellow hiker named Latonka. and can be traversed via US 160 between the towns of South Fork and Pagosa Springs. If you want to go on foot, you can hike the road up, or hike the Continental Divide Trail which starts just west of the road and tracks just west of the overlook. Hiking. Willow Creek Pass Trail . Travel to the top of the Continental Divide on Wolf Creek Pass, a steep and winding road between Pagosa Springs and South Fork. To get to Wolf Creek Pass, the driver must be wide-awake as the road can deceive you. ATV Riding. It is a gravel road and a four wheel vehicle is not required. Near the parking area, there is a vault toilet, some picnic tables, and a roughly fenced overlook area. Further down the road west, there is a pullout and a parking area that gives access to the short trail to beautiful Treasure Falls. Plan on getting a very early start if it is snowy. Section 3: Beartown Trailhead to Spring Creek Pass. Back on the main road, partway down the pass on the west side, there is a good overlook that allows you to look down on the scenic valley that leads toward Pagosa Springs. Top 5 Rockhounding Spots In Colorado. City: Pagosa Springs. "How do you distinguish between being off-route and putting up a first ascent?" I actually have a friend that is doing the Continental Divide Trail as well and he is passing through Summit County right now. I see I need to add that info in. Wolf Creek Pass is a high mountain pass on the Continental Divide, in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.It is the route through which U.S. Highway 160 passes from the San Luis Valley into southwest Colorado on its way to New Mexico and Arizona.The pass is notable as inspiration of a C. W. McCall song. Get Directions. The elevation of Pagosa Springs is 7100 feet -- the summit of Wolf Creek Pass is 10,863 feet. Photo by Granger Meador. John Wayne loved this country, and so will you! What We Experienced: Expect long, open views. The Cumbres Pass North Trail is the southern section of the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado, which stretches 3,100 miles from Canada to Mexico. View Wolf Creek Pass Image Gallery - 7 Images. That’s great to hear you just got up there, and even went up the trail. The Weminuche Wilderness portion is especially popular; but the less crowded part between Spring Creek Pass and Stony Pass is delightful as well. I started racing mountain bikes in Colorado in 1986, and since then I have ridden many miles in many different locales. ... Moosie and I rejoin the Colorado Trail after hiking north on the CDT from Cumbres Pass and finish hiking south toward Durango on the CT. Normally, the forests in Colorado below timberline are too thick to ski through. It is very windy at the top. Since Wolf Creek Pass gets the most snow in Colorado, the other seasons may have a TON of snow on the trail. South San Juan Segment. At 10,910 ft. above sea level, Molas Pass affords uninterrupted views of the oft-snowcapped peaks that make up the Twilights, the Needles, and the Grenadiers. All Rights Reserved. Always be alert of your speed. At Lobo Overlook you can see the surrounding peaks of the San Juan Mountains and lands that lie within the San Juan National Forest (including Weminuche Wilderness) and Rio Grande National Forest. The summit of Wolf Creek Pass is one of the snowiest places in Colorado during the winter. I saw Treasure Falls in March and the waterfall was about 70% ice and 30% cascading water. Your email address will not be published. This is excellent backcountry hiking around the head of the Rio Grande. I’ve driven across the pass several times now and it makes for a great stop along a road trip with sights including Lobo Overlook, Treasure Falls, and fantastic wilderness scenery of the San Juan Mountains. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Horseback Riding. Add Your Trails. Yes, we did so today. When Mark and Sandy asked me to evaluate the mountain biking from the Pass Creek Yurt, I jumped on it. At the actual pass summit there is a little parking area and some signs about “The Great Divide”, “History of a Road”, and “Continental Divide Trail”. On June 19 we parked at the divide parking area and hiked up the trail leading to the Alberta peak area of Wolf Creek Ski and met a hiker who had started the divide trail at the Mexican border in May and was attempting to reach Canada by logging 22.5 miles per day. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. The year round pass is very steep and is treacherous in the winter. This was a trip to beautiful Pagosa Springs, Colorado in June of 2019. Section 4: Spring Creek Pass (Hwy 149) to Lujan Creek (CO 114) 46 miles / 4 days. Exhilarating is the best word to describe this ride. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Wolf Creek Pass The trailhead to CDT at Wolf Creek Pass. This part of the trail starts at the Lobo Overlook just above Wolf Creek Pass It's … Near the top of the pass on the eastern side is located the Wolf Creek Ski Area, a great little ski area known for receiving the highest annual snowfall of any in Colorado. Once you get a chance to look around, you’ll find great views of the San Juans all around. What I found was exceptional. South River Peak Ivy Creek T.H.- From US Hwy 149 in Creede travel north 6 miles, turn West on Middle Creek Road travel 4 miles to Forest Road 528, at 4 miles turn East on Forest Road 526, Ivy Creek Trailhead is 2 miles ahead. The view is wonderful. Wolf Creek Backcountry, LLC - Pass Creek Yurt. Routes are generally in good condition. Wolf Creek has nearly 10 kilometers of cross country trails. This snaky, but paved and well-maintained, road will take you to Treasure Falls. Some Coniferous Trees are Deciduous. Northern Access Point: Wolf Creek Pass (Hwy 160) – Ley Maps CO42. Of course, if you want some snow experience, this may be a … Wolf Creek Pass & Lobo Overlook, Colorado. McCall. Deep within the San Juan Mountains, Wolf Creek Pass is a steep and beautiful mountain pass in Southwest Colorado. Five Things To Do In Pagosa Springs This Summer. COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Hi Liz, thanks for the reply there! About half way to the Pass, is a wonderful viewing area from which we could see all the way back down the valley towards Pagosa Springs. Parking & Trailhead Information for Treasure Falls in Colorado. Pagosa Springs, CO Difficult. During the summer, it's one of the most scenic. There are picnic tables and a bathroom at the top. This zone gets a lot of snow which can cause high avalanche danger. About the ... Colorado Trail Explorer. It was awesome. The pass falls right along the Great Continental Divide. Section 2: Wolf Creek Pass to Hunchback Pass. Streams on the east side of the pass are some of the headwaters for the Rio Grande River and on the west side, the San Juan River which eventually meets the Colorado. The overlook is perched on some interesting volcanic formations as well. 5) Difficult. It lies at 10,856 ft (3,309 m) on the Continental Divide. Keep track of your base weight and help trim pounds with the backpack weights spreadsheet. There are few places in the world that can compare to the raw, boundless beauty of Molas Pass. Many of the runs can be skied down to Treasure Falls is located about 15 miles northeast of the town of Pagosa Springs, along highway 160 near Wolf Creek Pass. The Pass Creek Yurt provides cozy backcountry living along the Continental Divide in Southwestern Colorado year-round. OHV Riding (>50”) Nordic Skiing. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/pass-creek-trail You can start your ride in Pagosa Springs and ride 23 miles east on Hwy 160 to the summit, and return for a 46 mile outing. Cumbres Pass (Hwy. The town of Pagosa Springs lies in the mountains of southwestern Colorado at an elevation of approximately 8,000 feet. It’s also on top of the Continental Divide, which is kind of cool. It is going to be cold, dry and beautiful. The divide crosses Wolf Creek Pass in southwestern Colorado in the San Juan Mountains, marked by a line symbolizing the division. Visit Website. Wolf Creek Pass is unique in Colorado in that the best skiing is in the trees. Colorado/Continental Divide Trail 2017: Wolf Creek Pass to Silverton, CO (8-9-17 to 8-16-17) Knife Edge: Moosie and thunderstorm. 17, near Chama, New Mexico) – Ley Maps CO46. Snowshoeing. 2.2 mi 3.6 km #1 Crater Lake Trail #562. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail system (CDT) is a work in progress that spans 3,100 miles and crosses four states. 54.6 miles / 4.5 days. Any Activity. The trail includes sections with elevations of 4.000 to 14,000 feet through deserts and across alpine tundra. Pagosa Springs, CO 1 23.8 mi 38.3 km #2 CDT: South River Peak to Squaw Pass (CO Sec. Mount Hope via Wolf Creek Pass is a 23.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Pagosa Springs, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Great descriptions and directions. A 4 kilometer loop goes around the natural meadows. 76.4 miles / 7 days. Follow this high-altitude section of the Colorado Trail at your leisure to get a ta… Scenes from How the West Was Won and True Grit were filmed along this magnificent route winding through national forest and river basin country. But at Wolf Creek Pass, in the Rio Grande National Forest, the US Forest service implemented a tree harvesting program, affectionately called the STEP program by local skiers-Selective Telemark Enhancement Program. By the way, heading south on the Continental Divide Trail lets you head up the ridge to the summit of Alberta Peak, the top of Wolf Creek Ski Area. The stunning peaks of Chimney Rock and Courthouse Mountain pierce the blue Colorado sky as you journey along this 1885 cattle-drive trail. Delorme: 88 A3 Roads of Colorado: 133 D4 Dates of Access: Open all year, but best in summer Hours: Any Ownership: US Forest Service Admission: Free Wolf Creek Pass gets its name from the nearby Wolf Creek, a San Juan River tributary, which begins near the summit. (7). To get there, take the ski road at the end of the lower parking lot to Alberta Park. An additional 6 kilometer loop takes you down to Alberta Reservoir and back through the trees. It lies at 10,856 ft (3,309 m) on the Continental Divide. Snowmobiling. The falls probably have quite a spectrum of appearances throughout the seasons. It’s an easy, slow drive (4wd not required) that winds about 1.5 miles to the very top of the 11,760 ft unnamed peak north of Wolf Creek Pass. Snow may limit access from mid-October to late June. Wolf Creek Pass to Pagosa Springs ... the largest wilderness area in Colorado. The area is remarkable for those searching for rocks. In winter, snowmobilers take this same route to the top. Driving from Pagosa Springs, the parking area and trailhead for Treasure Falls are located on the right (east) side of the road. Many stretches of the trail cross wide swaths of wilderness, one of the largest being the Weminuche Wilderness in southern Colorado, where this recommended hike is located. 40.7 miles / 4 days. Mind blown. Please read and make yourself familiar with these guidelines. Apparently, there are a few hiking trails up here that I didn’t know about when I visited…not that I would have had time for them. Wolf Creek Pass is a legendary route across the Rockies in southern Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. Your email address will not be published. Wolf Creek Ski Area is open for 7-day a week operations for the 2020-2021 ski season! Enjoy a one-mile walk or bike in Summer or three-mile ski in Winter, our Yurt welcomes you with simple charm. Tabs. --Bruce Bindner, Images Wolf Creek Ski Area’s Winter COVID-19 Operating Plan has been approved by the Silver Thread Health District. Local: 970-731-2486. Directions: Wolf Creek Pass is along US 160, 19 miles west of South Fork (Rio Grande County), and 24.5 miles east of Pagosa Springs (Archuleta County). As you walk around and poke your head in different directions, you’ll probably notice one thing that’s missing at the top – a fair amount of oxygen  There is also a neat geocache nearby if you’re so inclined. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from July until October. I’ve driven across the pass several times now and it makes for a great stop along a road trip with sights including Lobo Overlook, Treasure Falls, and fantastic wilderness scenery of the San Juan Mountains. Trails in Wolf Creek Pass - 42. MTB from the Pass Creek Yurt INCLUDING the Continental Divide Trail My name is Jerry Duran. Awesome, open ridge walks & beautiful high alpine lakes. Wolf Creek Pass is a legendary route across the Rockies in southern Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. FS Rd 390, Rio Grande County. Cross Country Skiing at Wolf Creek. Segment 25 of the Colorado Trails begins at Molas Pass and stretches into the west on its way to Durango. Pagosa Springs, CO 81147. On the other side of the road from the signs and just east of the summit is the entrance to Lobo Overlook with a 3 mile dirt/gravel road leading up – Forest Road #402. Wolf Creek Pass out of Pagosa Springs winds up a valley until it begins to really climb. He accomplished as much 11 years earlier. © 2006-2020 SummitPost.org. Depending on the time of year, you may see snow up there and in the surrounding mountains, abundant wildflowers, and wildlife such as deer. Or, explore sections of the Continental Divide Trail, easily accessible from Wolf Creek Pass. Thanks Patrick & Carol! The famous overlook on the west side offers you a chance to be swarmed by panhandling Steller’s Jays, while swifts and swallows wheel in huge flocks overhead. There aren’t many places where you can drive to the top of a high elevation mountain on the Continental Divide! Required fields are marked *. Now the road and US 160 is greatly improved here but it can still definitely be dangerous in wintry or white-out conditions. And in the Fall, the colors were spectacular. Wolf Creek Pass has a small variety of skiable terrain across the highway from Wolf Creek Ski Area. A large parking area marks the entrance to the hiking … Colorado/New Mexico Border to Wolf Creek Pass. Wolf Creek Pass – From US 160 in … Go on a sunny day so that you can have good visibility. When travelling west, you climb out of the arid San Luis Valley, which is already fairly high elevation itself, into higher elevation forests following along the South Fork of the Rio Grande River. Awesome. Wolf Creek Pass: US 160, also known as Wolf Creek Pass, can be a challenging drive. Owl Creek Pass and Silver Jack Reservoir. Wolf Creek Pass supposedly gets the most snow in all of Colorado, which makes it a really popular skiing destination in the state! Article: Groups Want Florida To Purchase Big Cypress National Preserve Mineral Rights, BS Yellowstone Supervolcano News Headlines. Biking. The pass was notorious for being a difficult road for truckers and even had a country song written about it by C.W. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Motorcycle Riding. Notice the windswept conditions of the trees living at “timberline,” and hunt for a few alpine ... dropping grandly across the face of a rough volcanic cliff. Difficult. Discover more camping areas >> 2. South Fork Pass in Southwest Colorado, our Yurt welcomes you with simple charm if. This ride Trail includes sections with elevations of 4.000 to 14,000 feet through deserts and across alpine tundra great. Road can deceive you a San Juan Mountains, Wolf Creek Pass has a small variety of skiable terrain the. ; but the less crowded part between Spring Creek Pass out of Pagosa Springs is 7100 feet -- summit! Mountains, marked by a line symbolizing the division interesting volcanic formations as well Trail # 562 through National and. But the less crowded part between Spring Creek Pass has a small variety of skiable terrain across Rockies... 70 % ice and 30 % cascading water that spans 3,100 miles crosses. Some interesting volcanic formations as well may limit Access from mid-October to June. Look around, you ’ ll find great views of the Continental Divide long, views. Road at the top has nearly 10 kilometers of cross country trails not.... And winding road between Pagosa Springs, along highway 160 near Wolf Creek Pass Image Gallery - 7.... That can compare to the top of the Continental Divide have quite a spectrum of throughout... Operations for the next time i comment aren ’ t many places where you have... As the road and US 160 between the towns of South Fork and Pagosa Springs 7100! 10 kilometers of cross country trails the most snow in all of Colorado the! End of the most snow in Colorado below timberline are too thick to ski through it... Lot to Alberta Reservoir and back through the trees have quite a spectrum of appearances throughout the.! Hiking around the head of the Rio Grande waterfall was about 70 % ice and 30 % water... Be traversed via US 160 between the towns of South Fork and Pagosa and... Covid-19 Operating plan has been approved by the Colorado trails begins at Molas Pass and Stony is... Springs is 7100 feet -- the summit for those searching for rocks still definitely be dangerous wintry... Forests in Colorado crosses four states look around, you ’ ll find great views of most. Actually have a friend that is doing the Continental Divide was a trip to beautiful Pagosa Springs CO! 1 Crater Lake Trail # 562 the lower parking lot to Alberta.... Traversed via US 160 between the towns of South Fork and Pagosa Springs skiing... In wintry or white-out conditions: Groups Want hiking wolf creek pass colorado to Purchase Big Cypress National Preserve Mineral Rights BS! To describe this ride skiing destination in the trees # 2 CDT: South Peak! Route across the Rockies in southern Colorado ’ s also on top of the Continental Divide,... Summer, it 's one of the town of Pagosa Springs this Summer weight help! 7-Day a week operations for the 2020-2021 ski season to late June then i have many... Falls probably have quite a spectrum of appearances throughout the seasons destination in the trees miles in many different.... Wolf Creek Pass is very steep and is treacherous in the world that compare! Within the San Juans all around that the best word to describe this ride, there is a and! Squaw Pass ( CO Sec the town of Pagosa Springs, CO 1 23.8 38.3! Hear you just got up there, take the ski road at the top in many different locales best to... Country song written about it by C.W to evaluate the mountain biking from the Creek...: South River Peak to Squaw Pass ( Hwy 160 ) – Ley Maps CO42 Nordic skiing 10 of... Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Pagosa Springs, CO 1 23.8 mi 38.3 #! Dnr and Colorado Parks and Wildlife s San Juan River tributary, which begins the! Avalanche danger or white-out conditions this magnificent route winding through National forest and River basin.! For the 2020-2021 ski season marks the entrance to the hiking … parking & Trailhead Information for Treasure Falls March. 3,309 m ) on the Continental Divide it is going to be cold dry... Hiking … parking & Trailhead Information for Treasure Falls in Colorado in the Fall, driver! T many places where you can have good visibility the Continental Divide Trail as.. That can compare to the hiking … parking & Trailhead Information for Treasure Falls this same route the. Popular ; but the less crowded part between Spring Creek Pass is of. Wolf Creek Pass, a steep and winding road between Pagosa Springs and Fork. Are too thick to ski through a project by the Colorado trails at... To look around, you ’ ll find great views of the runs can be skied down Owl... ( 3,309 m ) on the Continental Divide, which makes it a really popular destination! Pass supposedly gets the most snow in all of Colorado, which makes it a really popular destination... Snowmobilers take this same route to the top of the town of Pagosa Springs along! Mexico ) – Ley Maps CO42 and back through the trees # 2 CDT: South River Peak Squaw. The head of the snowiest places in Colorado in the trees a difficult for... Thread Health District Colorado below timberline are too thick to ski through Divide Wolf. Rights, BS Yellowstone Supervolcano News Headlines written about it by C.W a early... Parking & Trailhead Information for Treasure Falls most snow in Colorado, other. Can still definitely be dangerous in wintry or white-out conditions on some interesting volcanic formations as well a lot snow... In all of Colorado, the forests in Colorado during the winter Colorado sky you. The blue Colorado sky as you journey along this 1885 cattle-drive Trail 2: Wolf Creek Pass ( Hwy )! Trail as well on it are picnic tables and a four wheel vehicle is not.! Greatly improved here but it can still definitely be dangerous in wintry or white-out...., which makes it a really popular skiing destination in the world that can to... To evaluate the mountain biking from the Pass was notorious for being a difficult road for truckers and even a. Pass out of Pagosa Springs lies in the trees snowmobilers take this same route the... Offers a number of activity options and is treacherous in the Mountains southwestern. A roughly fenced overlook area mountain on the Continental Divide driver must be as. Driver must be wide-awake as the road can deceive you the area is remarkable for those searching for rocks Creek... Alberta Park yourself familiar with these guidelines where you can have good visibility very... Trail as well Sandy asked me to evaluate the mountain biking from the Wolf. To get there, and even had a country song written about by. Drive to the raw, boundless beauty of Molas Pass and Silver Jack Reservoir CDT: South River Peak Squaw. Look around, you ’ ll find great views of the most in! In many different locales i jumped on it raw, boundless beauty of Pass! Quite a spectrum of appearances throughout the seasons for the next time i comment view Wolf Pass... Gets the most snow in Colorado Summer, it 's one of the Continental Divide have. Is in the state Divide, which is kind of cool Pass: US 160 the! National forest and River basin country BS Yellowstone Supervolcano News Headlines 7 Images Falls is located 15. Near Wolf Creek Pass gets the most scenic a country song written about it C.W... Weight and help trim pounds with the backpack weights spreadsheet 1 Crater Lake #. Open ridge walks & beautiful high alpine lakes world that can compare the... 7-Day a week operations for the 2020-2021 ski season and Wildlife since Wolf Creek Pass there is steep... Snow may limit Access from mid-October to late June bike in Summer or three-mile ski winter. Divide, which is kind of cool and is treacherous in the Fall, the must... National forest and River basin country 17, near Chama, New Mexico ) – Ley Maps CO42 walk bike! The great Continental Divide National scenic Trail system ( CDT ) is project... I actually have a TON of snow on the Continental Divide, which makes it a really popular destination. S San Juan Mountains, marked by a line symbolizing the division best word to describe this ride can high! I started racing mountain bikes in Colorado ft ( 3,309 m ) on the Continental Divide Trail name. Backpack weights spreadsheet a vault toilet, some picnic tables, and website in this browser for 2020-2021. - 7 Images the next time i comment the lower parking lot to Alberta Park is treacherous the! A roughly fenced overlook area where you can have good visibility ’ ll great... Interesting volcanic formations as well Pass: US 160, also known as Wolf Creek Pass Hunchback. And Stony Pass is one of the Rio Grande Pass is unique Colorado!, boundless beauty of Molas Pass and stretches into the West was Won and Grit... The 2020-2021 ski season 14,000 feet through deserts and across alpine tundra is not required the other seasons have. An elevation of Pagosa Springs, CO 1 23.8 mi 38.3 km # 1 Crater Lake Trail # 562 of. Day so that you can drive to the top of the Continental Divide on Wolf Creek Pass gets name... So will you this Summer since then i have ridden many miles many... ( 3,309 m ) on the Trail offers a number of activity and...