Pinos Creek
This is the most direct route from the floor of the San Luis Valley to Summitville, at the top of the southern San Juans. The road passes through many habitats along the way. Down near the bottom, in the dry scrub and pinyon-juniper woodlands, look for Western Scrub-Jay and Pinyon Jay. In the ponderosa pine area you may see Western Tanager and Band-tailed Pigeon. Higher up, look for Olive-sided Flycatcher and Northern Goshawk. Note the transition in mammals too, from rock squirrels to pine squirrels and from kangaroo rats to chipmunks. See what you can find!
Restrictions: Beware poor road conditions
County: Rio Grande
Directions: On the west edge of Del Norte, turn south from US 160 on CR 14 (Pinos Creek Road), to FR 330.
Alternate Directions: On the west side of Del Norte, at the junction of US160 and Pinos Creek Rd (CR 14), head south on CR 14 along Pinos Creek. The birding can be good anywhere from Del Norte to Summitville, 25 miles from Del Norte.
Habitat: Pinyon-Juniper Forest, Stream, Streamside Willow, Lowland Riparian, Mixed Conifer Forest, Mountain Meadow, Spruce-Fir Forest
Dates of Access: Higher roads not maintained in winter
Hours: Any
Ownership: BLM/US Forest Service
Admission or Fees: Free
Parking: Roadside
Lodging: Primitive camping, or hotels in Del Norte
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Viewing from car
Delorme: 79 C7, D6; 89 A5-A6
ROC: 134 A2, 133 F2-E4
Latitude: 37.593644
Longitude: -106.4508859