Ophir Pass Road — Ouray to Telluride via the San Juan High Crossing
13,114 feet of San Juan air and loose shelf road.
Ophir Pass sits at 13,114 feet on the spine of the San Juans, and this route earns every foot of that elevation. Starting from Silverton on the east, you grind up a loose shelf road with nothing but air on your passenger side before topping out on a wide saddle that frames 14ers in every direction. The descent into Ophir on the west side is the crux — a narrow, rocky fall-line that punishes anything with stock suspension or a driver who second-guesses throttle. The whole run is only about 9 miles point to point, but those miles hit hard.
High clearance and 4WD are non-negotiable. A stock Jeep Wrangler or similar rig can handle it, but longer wheelbase trucks will struggle with the tight switchbacks on the west face. Lockers help on the descent. Snow lingers into July and returns in September — mid-July through August is the reliable window. No permit needed. Silverton is your last fuel stop heading east, Telluride heading west. Dispersed camping on the Uncompahgre National Forest side. The views from the pass are worth a long sit — pack a lunch and use it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 9 mi / 14.5 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 13114 ft |
| Best season | Mid-July to September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Silverton, CO |
| Land manager | Uncompahgre National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Uncompahgre NF Recreation Area |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Ophir Pass?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will make it, but you'll want low-range and decent all-terrain tires — the east side is loose shelf road with off-camber rocks that punish street rubber. Lifted rigs have more margin for error on the rocky sections near the summit.
When does Ophir Pass Road typically open and close for the season?
Mid-July to September is the reliable window. Snow can linger on the west side well into July, and early fall storms can close it again by late September or October — the USFS doesn't maintain a hard open/close schedule, so check conditions before you go.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to drive Ophir Pass?
No permit and no fee required — it's a National Forest road on Uncompahgre NF land. Standard Leave No Trace rules apply and dispersed camping is allowed within the forest boundary.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The east approach out of Silverton throws the worst at you — loose talus, narrow shelf road with serious exposure, and no guardrails. Uphill traffic has the right of way, and passing pullouts are tight; know your rig's width before you commit.
Is there any gas or cell service along the route?
Zero cell service on the pass — plan accordingly and have your maps downloaded offline. Fuel up in Silverton before you start; there's nothing between Silverton and Telluride on this route, and both towns are small so don't assume they'll have everything you need.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.