Directions:

From Montrose, CO drive east on U.S. Highway 50 to County Road 858 (Forest Access/Silver Jack Reservoir sign). Turn south on County Road 858 and travel approximately 19 miles south, past Silver Jack Campground, and turn right at the Silver Jack Overlook sign. Travel along road to picnic area.

Hike Description:

Silver Jack Reservoir nested in the Cimarron Mountains of the San Juan Range is a must see Colorado spot that I can’t believe more people don’t know about.  The Reservoir is surrounded by craggy peaks, most notably Turret Ridge to the south.  The campground is wonderful and, since it’s first come first serve, you actually have a chance of getting a spot on a summer weekend.  Get there mid-day Friday for a good shot, but don’t blame me if it’s all full.  

There is a short trail to an overlook that you can pick up from the day use area, or from the campgrounds.  A short walk through aspens take you an incredible overlook of the reservoir and the peaks looming behind.  This is a stellar overlook and if you just have time to check out the overlook, it would be a worthy few minutes.  

Past the overlook, around the large boulder, are two trails, you want the trail that shoots down, steeply towards the reservoir, rather that the more obvious trail that heads south.  This trail is steep with loose rock, so watch your step.  It’s steep but not long and at the bottom is a sign denoting this trail as “Asthma Hill.”  At the bottom of Asthma Hill is a dirt road, turn right.

The road leads down to the dam along the northern shore of the reservoir.  From here, you get amazing views of Turret Ridge, Chimney Rock & Courthouse Mountain, Sheep Mountain, and Pinnacle Ridge.  All amazing geologic eye candy.

If you want just a short out and back, the dam is basically your destination.  You can explore the shore of the reservoir but there are not official trails. If have some time to kill and want to explore the area a bit more, without moving your car from the campground, you can pick up a trail at the far side of the dam that will lead you to “Cowboy Lake.”  

The trail switchbacks up through dense aspen and pine forrest.  This is a lush forest with ferns and wildliflowers littering the forest floor.  The trail has some downed trees, and you get the feeling that not many people use this trail.  As you weave through the dense forest, you’ll eventually pop out at the Cowboy Lake Trail.  This trail is open to ATVs and motor bikes so keep an eye out.  

Directly across the road is an open meadow, that may or may not seasonally hold water…seemed dry as a bone to me…. This is the easy destination and a beautiful clearing with Turret Ridge Rising over the trees.  If you want to go the less easy destination…Cowboy Lake, Turn right and head up the road for just a few minutes walk.  The forest is very dense here, so walk until you see an obvious, and obviously unofficial, trail heading off the the left, up the slope.  This trail will take you to Cowboy Lake.  Cowboy Lake is also devoid of water, and maybe for a few magical weeks in the spring, it is actually a lake.  Although dry, it is another beautiful clearing, this time with the rocky cliffs of Cimmarron Ridge providing the view.  

This is a nice spot to explore, look out for free range cows lounging the lake’s tall grass, but it’s not really a destination spot.  Come for Silver Jack Reservoir, explore Cowboy Lake if you have the time and want to move your legs a bit.  

The way back is the same as you came in on, lucky for you, you get to see the mountains from the reservoir again on your way back…just try and save a few breaths for Asthma Hill…