San Juan County
Author(s): Jim Beatty
County Seat: Silverton
County Size: 388 square miles
Low Elevation: 8,251 ft. - Animas River on the La Plata border
High Elevation : 13,894 ft. - Vermillion Peak
Best Birds : What can you find?
Checklist : Download pdf | View HTML
Introduction: San Juan County has many unique features, but bird variety is not one of them. This county is located high in the San Juan Mountains of western Colorado. It is very sparsely populated, only has one major road, one town, one river, and many high elevation mountains and abandoned mines. The low point of the county is about 8,400 feet above sea level and the county has many 13,000-foot peaks. Most of the drainage is to the Animas River, which flows south. Silverton at 9,200 feet and with about 500 people is the only town. It is surrounded by high peaks. The only highway is US 550, which bisects the county from north to south and winds through three passes above 10,000 feet. The Continental Divide snakes through the eastern part of the county. One recent Silverton Christmas Bird Count amazingly recorded Sandhill Cranes flying south over 12,000 foot mountains in January.
Birding Locations
Red Mountain Pass
Description - This pass marks the north edge of the county on US 550. This is a good place to stop and scan the sky waiting for a Black Swift to fly by as their nesting spot at Box Canyon in Ouray County is only six or so air miles to the north.
Habitat - Cliff Face
Directions - From Silverton travel north on US 550 to the pass, where there is parking on the west side.
Delorme - 76 A4
Roads of Colorado - 115 D4
Silverton
Description - Birds are scarce in winter, but some feeders in town attract all three species of Rosy-finches. Steller's Jay, woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches are possible.
Habitat - Urban/Suburban
Directions - Take US 550 north to the center of the county and CR 110 is the main street. In winter some of the best feeders for rosy-finches are on the street two blocks to the northwest of the main street. One is at the southwest (US 550) end of town and the other is at the northwest end of town at the end of River Street.
Delorme - 76 B4
Roads of Colorado - 131 D1
Animas River – South
Description - The willows by the railroad and river can yield warblers and a few other migrants. Great Blue Heron has also been seen here.
Habitat - Stream, Streamside Willow
Directions - Just south of Silverton on US 550 there is a gravel road to the east that parallels the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad tracks and the Animas River as it flows south.
Delorme - 76 B4
Roads of Colorado - 131 D1
Animas River – North
Description - This is one of the better birding areas in the county as the Animas River winds its way south from its headwaters high in the mountains to the north and east. The river is braided in parts of this area and willows line the many channels. In winter Dippers are present and in summer some ducks inhabit the area. Where the road passes through spruce/fir woods chickadees, woodpeckers, nuthatches, and jays are present year round. In summer Golden Eagles may be seen above the surrounding peaks.
Habitat - Stream, Streamside Willow, Spruce-Fir Forest
Directions - From Silverton drive northeast on CO 110/CR 2 towards Howardsville and beyond. Check the river and nearby trees frequently.
Delorme - 77 B5
Roads of Colorado - 131 D1-E1
Coal Bank Pass
Description - This is the county's southernmost mountain pass on US 550. The pass has parking and restrooms and several mountain trails start from here – most from the west side of the highway. The trees can have Red Crossbills and Pine Grosbeaks which can be easily located by their songs if present. In summer White-crowned and Lincoln's Sparrows are present and other high elevation species.
Habitat - Spruce-Fir Forest, Streamside Willow
Directions - From the southern county line on US 550 travel north about 8 miles.
Delorme - 76 C3
Roads of Colorado - 130 C2
Little Molas Lake
Description - Little Molas Lake is on the Colorado Trail that extends for 470 miles from Denver to Durango. The lake supports a few ducks in summer. The spruce/fir around the campground can have a good variety of high elevation birds including Three-toed and Hairy Woodpeckers, Pine Grosbeaks, crossbills, kinglets, juncos, White-crowned and Lincoln's Sparrows, and Wilson's Warblers. Gray Jays are possible. During migration large numbers of White-crowned, Chipping, and Brewer's Sparrows cross the mountains above the lake. In winter this is a good lake to snowshoe into in search of White-tailed Ptarmigan that feed on the willows around the frozen lake.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Spruce-Fir Forest, Streamside Willow
Directions - From Silverton travel south on US 550 about 5 miles and turn west (right) into the Little Molas Lake campground.
Delorme - 76 C4
Roads of Colorado - 131 D2
Andrews Lake
Description - In winter this is a good lake to snowshoe into in search of White-tailed Ptarmigan that feed on the willows around the frozen lake. In summer a few ducks breed here as well as some coots. Hike around the lake searching for high elevation birds. The boggy area uphill from the lake and opposite the parking lot is a good place for Fox and Lincoln's Sparrows, Wilson's and Orange-crowned Warblers, and Pine Grosbeaks. Gray Jays are usually here, especially at lunchtime. Hammond's Flycatchers nest in the conifers as do kinglets, chickadees and Hermit Thrushes. Spotted Sandpipers nest at the lake.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Streamside Willow, Spruce-Fir Forest
Directions - Andrews Lake is about 1 mile south of the Molas Pass on US 550 and about 7 miles south of Silverton.
Delorme - 76 C4
Roads of Colorado - 131 D2
Molas Lake
Description - This is a popular campground and many of the same birds as at Andrews Lake can be found here.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Streamside Willow, Spruce-Fir Forest
Directions - Molas Lake is about 5 miles south of Silverton on US 550 on the east side of the highway and well signed.
Delorme - 76 B4-C4
Roads of Colorado - 131 D2
South Mineral Creek
Description - There is a campground here and many of the high elevation species can be seen in the willows streamside and the surrounding spruce/fir forest. Fox Sparrows are possible here.
Habitat - Streamside Willow, Spruce-Fir Forest
Directions - From Silverton drive north on US 550 about 2 miles from the junction with CO 110 and the turnoff (FR 585) is on the west (left) side of the road. The campground is several miles off the highway, and the road can be slippery in wet weather.
Delorme - 76 B3
Roads of Colorado - 131 D1
Old Lime Creek Road
Description - This is one of the better spots to bird in the county. However, this road is best traveled in a high clearance vehicle and for a mile or two is a one-lane shelf road that may make some people a little anxious. (Believe it or not, this was part of the original road from Durango to Silverton before the Million Dollar Highway was built.) Birding is best near the rustic campground alongside of Lime Creek. This campground can be reached more easily from the north end of Old Lime Creek Road.
Habitat - Stream, Cliff Face, Streamside Willow, Mixed Conifer Forest, Spruce-Fir Forest
Directions - On US 550 about 1 mile north of the southern countyline and just after the first sweeping switchback is the southern end of Old Lime Creek Road. This road is rough in spots and a high clearance vehicle is recommended. The road continues for about 10 miles and rejoins US 550 about 7 or 8 miles north.
Delorme - 76 C3
Roads of Colorado - 130 C2, 131 D2
Spud (Potato) Lake
Aliases - Potato Lake
Description - This is another good spot for birding in the county and is accessed from the south end of Old Lime Creek Road. At the Spud Lake (Potato Lake) trailhead park and hike the trail up to Spud Lake. It is about a mile hike, but very worthwhile. The ponds across from the parking area can have a few ducks and perhaps a Pied-billed Grebe. The aspen and conifer woods at the lower end of the trail can have warblers and Warbling Vireos, House Wren, flycatchers, kinglets, and chickadees. About halfway there is a spur trail to an overlook. Black Swift is possible here as well as Cooper's Hawk and Northern Goshawk. The steep stream bed to the left of the trail has MacGillivray's Warbler. Just below Spud Lake there is a series of beaver ponds where an Olive-sided Flycatcher can usually be heard singing. The lake itself usually isn't very birdy, but it's a great place to have lunch.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Aspen Grove, Mixed Conifer Forest, Spruce-Fir Forest, Streamside Willow
Directions - On US 550 about 1 mile north of the southern countyline and just after the first sweeping switchback is the southern end of Old Lime Creek Road. Turn right (east) here and travel about 3 miles to parking area at the trailhead. It is not well marked, but looked for the lilypad covered pond on the right and the trailhead is on the left. There are usually vehicles parked here.
Delorme - 76 C3
Roads of Colorado - 131 D2
Cascade Creek
Description - This is a good spot for migrants and summer birds. The first mile is best, although there are beautiful waterfalls a couple of miles up the trail. Rare birds have included a Cassin's Vireo near the highway, and turkeys are possible with a great deal of luck. Warblers, kinglets, nuthatches, woodpeckers, and flycatchers are more usual. One winter this trail had a calling Boreal Owl near the cabins.
Habitat - Spruce-Fir Forest, Mixed Conifer Forest
Directions - After entering San Juan County from Durango (south), the first sweeping switchback to the right crosses Cascade Creek and there is a road on the left that goes back a mile or so to a few cabins. In winter park at the highway and hike or snowshoe in. There is usually a packed trail of sorts, so that hiking is not too difficult.
Delorme - 76 C3
Roads of Colorado - 130 C2
West Lime Creek
Description - At the north end of the Old Lime Creek Road, it is possible to drive down to the West Lime Creek and beyond, but this requires a high clearance vehicle to cross the ford. Several very good birds for San Juan County have been seen here including Swainson's Thrush, Loggerhead Shrike, and Nashville Warbler. Its best to walk the road on both sides of the creek, if the water level is low enough to cross it. Also, the far hillside is worth birding.
Habitat - Stream, Streamside Willow, Mixed Conifer Forest
Directions - On US 550 about 9 or 10 miles north of the LaPlata County line is the north entrance to Old Lime Creek Road. Turn right (east) here and immediately bear left, while Old Lime Creek Road turns right. The left fork parallels US 550 and descends to West Lime Creek. There is room to park on either side of the ford through Lime Creek. But be careful that the water level in the creek is not too high before attempting to drive through it.
Delorme - 76 C3
Roads of Colorado - 131 D2
Silverton Mountain Ski Area
Description - North of Silverton is the extreme ski area of Silverton Mountain. In winter this road can yield White-tailed Ptarmigan and Red Crossbills. Both are best found, if at all, near the ski area. For the ptarmigan stop wherever there are willow patches near the creek and look carefully for the snake-like ptarmigan tracks in the snow. With luck there will be a ptarmigan at the end of one of the tracks, but they can be difficult to see. Check any tracks on the drive both ways, as sometimes they magically appear in an area just searched 15-30 minutes earlier. Crossbills are best seen just past the ski area and are best located by their calls.
Habitat - Spruce-Fir Forest, Streamside Willow, Stream
Directions - From US 550 drive all the way through Silverton and at the city park on the left bear left. This road ascends steadily as it proceeds for about 6 miles to the ski area. It is usually open, but snow covered, so that people can reach the ski area. Snow is usually very deep, so do not leave the road.
Delorme - 76 A4-B4
Roads of Colorado - 115 D4, 131 D1
Ophir Pass Road (FR 679)
Description - (Submitted by Nathan Pieplow) This seasonal road is marked as a trail on most maps. It's not actually that bad, at least when it is in good repair. You should be able to make it to the top in most passenger vehicles, though a couple spots may be iffy. (Do NOT get cocky and attempt to head down the west side of the pass, however, unless you've got 4WD and clearance!) If your car can make it, this road can be a great way to get up to and above treeline. In the spruce-fir forests, mountain meadows and willow carrs look for Pine Grosbeak, Olive-sided and Hammond's Flycatchers, and Fox and Lincoln's Sparrows in addition to other typical birds. Farther up the road you can park and hike some of the tundra looking for ptarmigan, although the best habitat is far from the road. Near the pass itself you get into loose talus slopes where you should not go hiking unless you are an elk.
Habitat - Spruce-Fir Forest, Mountain Meadow, Streamside Willow, Krummholz, Alpine Tundra
Directions - From Silverton, head north on US 550 about five miles to the turnoff on the left (west) side of the road.
Delorme - 76 B3-B4
Roads of Colorado - 131 D1