Ophir Pass is nestled in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado.

Click here to view them all! You can begin this trail from either the Telluride side or the Silverton side. Highly recommend waiting and allowing one way traffic at this section. Pictures don’t really show justice for how rocky it is. We will definitely return!

Turn off your ad blocker to see a map of this trail. About a 2 hour drive from the Silverton East side. Wide gravel road heads west from near mile marker 75. A 4WD is recommended because of the steep climbs and rocky surface. Your email and your recipient's email will NOT be shared with anyone.
Snowplows usually clear the road in June, otherwise the snow could be 20 feet deep at the pass. After the pass, take a quick peak down the road to see if anyone is coming up. The section of the road going along the west side of Ophir Pass is rather narrow and rocky. 145 for 8 miles. Look for County Road 8 about 5 miles north of Silverton on Highway 550.

Unlicensed vehicle riders can expect buckshot in their backsides if they try to ride through town.

South of Telluride in the San Juan Mountains. We also have visitor guides available in states highlighted in blue below. Awesome trail overall! the trail tightens up in spots so pass with care, we generally tried to let the full size (tundras, silverados etc.) Raining and in the clouds. For current conditions call Norwood Ranger District (970) 327-4261. Ophir Pass Scenic Drive 4 wheel needed for this trip, very scenic and exciting. Trail Description. This old mining town started in 1881, peaked at about 500 before the mining ended and now has a bustling population of roughly 180 people. Overall not too hard of a drive, the only loose and exposed section is on the west side of the Ophir pass. Read more. Return via the same route, or continue down to Red Mountain Pass and make a long loop back to town via Ouray. Rest of the ride down to Million $ Hwy was smooth and easy. Select All. Pass through town quietly. Pass is usually plowed sometime in June. Located in San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests. We offer a compact version of Go-Colorado for mobile users, allowing you to access just the information you need on the road. we started from ophir and it was great not difficult at all. Ophir Pass Route is rated moderate primarily due to one section of narrow, rocky shelf road on the west side of Ophir Pass. Gorgeous scenery and the drive was great! I suggest deflating your tires to avoid a puncture and have more traction in the rocky sections. BUT I do NOT recommend taking a stock 2011 Ford Escape through this lol!

There is a place to pass at the switch back which also gives you a good view of the shelf road. • Maintain six-feet of physical distance Photo © Dave Rote - Dave's Mountain Tours. My Cherokee TH (8.9” of clearance) was, Road condition has worsened from prior years, I headed across from the US 550 side to Ophir. The Interagency Senior Pass (previously known as the Golden Age Pass) and the Interagency Access Pass qualifies for a 50% discount at concessionaire run campsites. ATV access on the county road between Hwy 145 and Ophir is prohibited by the county; and, ATV access through Ophir is prohibited by town. Soon after the Post Office (don't blink or you'll miss it), you'll reach paved Highway 145. This review highlights Ophir Pass Trail in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

Honestly an amazing trail. This trail indeed has some wonderful views. Return to Main Site. The journey is about 20 miles from Telluride, and takes about three hours. Ran east to west. 1 Helpful vote. • Stay home when sick and get tested, Get the inside scoop from one of our reservation specialists. It varied from small stone to fist sized rock. Have fun. Scary after the summit heading down heading west. Snow is sometimes 20 feet deep. Ophir Pass Road is a 15.7 km (9.8 mi) dirt trail that features beautiful wildflowers during the summer. You are able to see traffic coming from either direction. Unlicensed vehicles are allowed on Ophir Pass Road east of the town of Ophir; however, you cannot ride through town. Some wildflowers left and the mountains are beautiful. The trail takes you along the San Juan Range towards Telluride and ends up in the town of Ophir. more, Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Telluride. Did this in a stock 2021 Jeep Wrangler Willys Unlimited in 57 minutes starting in Ophir. Coming from Silverton the road is basically a normal lil bumpy dirt road. The journey is about 20 miles from Telluride, and takes about three hours. For current conditions call Norwood Ranger District (970) 327-4261. Ophir Pass is a great first-timers trail. A high mountain pass with an altitude of 3,593 m (11,789ft) above the sea level can be reached by the Forest Road #630 also called Ophir Pass Road. It’s reached from the town of Ophir, about 13 miles south of Telluride, or from the east in Silverton. Some trails or park services may be closed this weekend so check with local authorities before heading out. Had cupcakes over on the Ouray side to celebrate my wife’s birthday. I ran this from 550 to Ophir (east-west) and was surprised by the challenge on the West side. Made it more exciting. The journey is about 20 miles from Telluride, and takes about three hours. We enjoyed this drive. The Vertical Horizon Climber has a rounded shape with curved bars, making it tricky to find the next step.
Townsfolk don't take kindly to your dust. I had zero issues with my 2020 Sahara at stock ride height. Operated By: I did this Monday 10/5. Ophir Pass Road is … High Point 11,789 ft., Best time to go Late June-Sept. To reach this road, from Silverton, travel approximately 4.2 miles north on State Highway 550 and then turn west on County Road 8 (signed as the Ophir Pass Road and Forest Road #679). After Ophir Pass, the ride along the ledge was moderate but after this , there is a switchback then it is incline all the way to Summit on shales some loose, and it is better to climb then come down the loose rocky path. The drive from Telluride to Red Mountain Pass is 20 miles and takes about three hours to complete.