The 41 mile Owl Creek Pass Road between the towns of Cimarron and Ridgway is a very quiet road, yet offers some of the best fall foliage vistas in the state!  The area south of Cimarron is mostly ranch land, but gradually climbs in elevation towards Silver Jack Reservoir and the adjacent High Mesa Pinnacles.  The Pinnacles offer a dramatic backdrop for the colorful Aspen Stands in the valley below.  Views of Chimney and Courthouse rock, as well as the entire Sneffels Range offer more incredible views on your way south to Ridgeway.  The best views of the day however were found a little south of Ridgeway along County Road 7.  Sweeping valley vistas open up to the crown jewel of the San Juan Mountains, the majestic Mt. Sneffels.  CR7 is only 8 miles in length, yet the vistas that can be found along this lonely road when illuminated by the low angle of the late day sun are a photographers dream come true!

The "Palisades" Gunnison, CO

Lively Colors in the Morning Sun near Blue Mesa Reservoir. 

Blue Haze in the Morning Light, Blue Mesa Reservoir. 

Pastoral Scene near Cimarron, CO.

Cimarron Valley Ranchland Scene. 

Highlands south of Cimarron, CO. 

Creek Reflections, Cimarron, CO. 

Rustic Fence and Aspens, Cimarron, CO.

Old & Young Stand of Aspens, Cimarron, CO.

Scrub Oaks and Aspens near Owl Creek Pass.

Old Fence & Pinnacles near Silver Jack Reservoir.

Silver Jack Reservoir & Aspen Forests.

Wind Blown Leaves below the Pinnacles, Owl Creek Pass Road.

Evergreens and Golden Aspens Beneath the Pinnacles, Owl Creek Pass Road. 

Steep Mountain View from Owl Creek Pass Road near Silver Jack Reservoir. 

Aspens and Evergreens at the Base of the Pinnacles.

Jackson Guard Station below High Mesa near Silver Jack Reservoir. 

Jackson Guard Station Old Tone.

Rustic Fence line beneath High Mesa Pinnacles. 

Pinnacles of High Mesa above Aspen Forest.

Pinnacle Ridge line above Owl Creek Pass Road. 

Pointed Spires of the High Mesa Pinnacles. 

Towering Chimney Rock framed by Aspens. 

Owl Creek Pass Ridge

Owl Creek Pass Ridge Wide View

Chimney & Courthouse Rock from Owl Creek Pass Road.

County Road 7 south of Ridgway, CO.

Mt. Sneffels View from CR7 near Ridgeway, CO.

Part of San Juan Mountain Range viewed from CR7

Soft Light Reflections and Mt. Sneffels as viewed from CR7.

Majestic Mt. Sneffels from CR7.

Late Day Colors and the Mt. Sneffels Mountain Range from CR7 - View 1.

Late Day Colors and the Mt. Sneffels Mountain Range from CR7 - View 2.

County Road 7 and Mt. Sneffels.

Aspen Gold and Mt. Sneffels View. 

Mt. Sneffels from one of the most beautiful valleys in the state.

Mountain View from CR7

Mt Sneffels and Valley View from CR7.

Another beautiful Valley as viewed from CR7.

Sweeping Valley View beneath the Beautiful Mt. Sneffels.

Mountains Viewed from the Valley Floor near Blue Lakes Trailhead, end of CR7.

The Blue Lakes Trailhead Area near Dusk.