Back to Scenery R Us Home
View from the East along Highway 160

Click image to enlarge

Lobo Overlook
At the crest of Wolf Creek Pass, Lobo Overlook National Forest Access Road allows a short drive to the top of a Continental Divide mountain peak where, for many years, a radio transmitter carried microwave signals across the divide. The building (far right) and the road are still there. This is one of the great scenic vistas on the earth. During the winter this is a favorite snow trail, see articles in the winter section of this site.

Click image to enlarge

The Switchbacks on Wolf Creek Pass
The highway drops elevation quickly on this series of switchbacks. Along the highway, Wolf Creek plunges downhill with several waterfalls along the way. At the second to the last switchback down the valley is the scenic overlook in the next picture. The last turn on the switchbacks has Treasure Falls along side the road, second photo below.

Click image to enlarge

Treasure Falls Scenic Overlook - Summer
This is one of the most photographed vistas in Southwest Colorado. The overlook has a large off-highway parking area and many people pull in for the view. Down in the valley the West Fork of the San Juan River and Wolf Creek join and become The San Juan River. Just beyond the cliff jutting out in the valley from the left is the confluence of the East Fork of the San Juan and the San Juan River. The Big Horn Sheep was placed in this photo but it is common the see sheep here and in other rocky spots on Wolf Creek Pass.

Click image to enlarge

Treasure Falls Scenic Overlook - Fall
The view from Treasure Falls Scenic Overlook is spectacular during the fall color change. When early afternoon sunlight falls on the backside of the aspen and cottonwood leaves, they take on a bright, neon-like, glow. This is one of the most photographed views in Colorado.




Click image to enlarge

Horseshoe Bend
Between Treasure Falls and Treasure Falls Overlook, the switchbacks begin. This photo was taken from the road at the lowest “horseshoe” bend looking up Wolf Creek.




Click image to enlarge

Treasure Falls
Fall Creek flows down from the area of Treasure Mountain, forms Treasure Falls and then joins Wolf Creek. An easy pull-off from the highway, Treasure Falls gets visitors all year. There are short trails to the bottom of the falls.

Click image to enlarge

The East Fork Road
The East Fork Road turns south from highway 160 about eight miles from Pagosa Springs. The first few miles are a National Forest Access Road following the East Fork River and the canyon is narrow where this photo was taken. There are many camping and fishing spots to be found here. The access road turns into the Elwood Pass 4x4/Jeep trail and snakes up the canyon and crest the Continental Divide. Read about Elwood Pass/Treasure Mountain/Summitville in the history and off-road sections of this website.

Click image to enlarge

East Fork Valley - Summer
The narrow canyon opens into a great wide valley about six miles in. The off-road trail travels up to and beyond the treeless peaks to the right of center to Elwood Pass.




Click image to enlarge

East Fork Valley - Fall
The East Fork Road and Elwood Pass are a marvel in the fall. On the lower road one travels along the river and it is an easy drive. Elwood Pass Road continues on as a serious 4x4 /jeep trail type road. On this drive, one slowly passes through the valley and over the Continental Divide. See articles on East Fork and Elwood Pass in the Off-road pages of this site.




Click image to enlarge

Looking Back on Wolf Creek
Looking toward Wolf Creek Pass from Hwy 160 at the East Fork Road. Aspen are the best known, but the cottonwood trees and brush along all waterways are just as beautiful in the fall.

Click image to enlarge

East Pagosa
Looking west into Pagosa Springs from the east side of town. The giant spruce trees throughout town were brought to Pagosa and planted by workmen installing Wolf Creek Pass a century ago.

Click image to enlarge

Town Fish
Photo taken from the far east end of Pagosa Springs Town Park looking up the San Juan River. There are some original Pagosa Springs neighborhoods hidden in the trees along this part of the river. Several years ago Pagosa rebuilt the river making a more natural flow and increasing the fish and wildlife habitat. The river is stocked with trout like this all summer.

Click image to enlarge

Downtown Pagosa Springs
The scenery just gets better in downtown Pagosa Springs. The beautiful riverfront just across from the historic main street is a beehive of activity both on and around the river. The Hot Spring Resort is to the right and the Chamber of Commerce is to the left. The hill in the background has a hiking trail system and great views of the surrounding mountains.

Back to Scenery R Us Home