Ophir Pass Road — Silverton to Ophir via the San Juan High Alpine Shelf
Silver-boom wagon road over the San Juan divide
Ophir Pass was cut across the San Juans so miners and freighters could move between Silverton and the Ophir mining camp in the silver boom years. You peel off US-550 in the Mineral Creek drainage north of Silverton and climb through spruce and aspen on a narrow shelf road. Wildflowers crowd the cutbanks in July. The east side has rocky, rutted stretches where you pick your line carefully. Above treeline you top out at 11,789 feet on a broad saddle with views over the Lizard Head and Wilson country. The west side drops in switchbacks through scree and talus toward the Ophir valley and the old town site. Along the way you pass cabin ruins and mine scars. The tailings are everywhere, and so are the ghosts.
This is the easy end of Colorado pass driving, but easy at 11,000-plus feet still needs respect. A stock high-clearance 4×4 is plenty if the weather is dry. Tight pullouts and exposed edges make passing awkward, so know who has right of way (uphill traffic) and be willing to back up. Plan on July to September. Snow lingers into early summer, and afternoon storms turn the road greasy. Cell service is spotty, fuel is in Silverton or Telluride, and there are dispersed sites on national forest land if you follow the rules. You get a clean, scenic taste of the San Juans without needing a winch and a death wish. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 10.5 mi / 16.9 km |
| Duration | 2-3 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 11789 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Silverton, Colorado |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service — San Juan National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | San Juan National Forest |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Tacoma handle Ophir Pass?
Yes. A stock 4WD high-clearance rig with decent all-terrain tires handles it fine. The road is rocky and rutted in places, especially on the Silverton side, so low-clearance AWD crossovers risk scraping and sidewall damage.
When is Ophir Pass open, and can I drive it in winter?
Plan on July through September. Snow typically lingers into late June and returns by October, and the road is not maintained in winter. Check current conditions with the San Juan National Forest before you go, since late snowfields can block the upper switchbacks.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to drive Ophir Pass?
No permit or fee is required to drive the road, which is on San Juan National Forest land. Dispersed camping follows standard Forest Service rules, so camp in existing sites and pack out everything.
What's the hardest part of Ophir Pass?
The rough, rocky stretch on the Silverton side and the steep, narrow switchbacks near the top on the Ophir side are the trickiest spots. Expect loose rock, ledges, and tight passing with some exposure, but nothing technical for a capable stock 4WD. Take it slow and be ready to back up to a pullout when you meet oncoming traffic.
Are there water crossings, and can I get cell service on the trail?
There are water crossings, usually shallow stream flows that run highest during early-season snowmelt. Cell service is spotty, so download offline maps before you leave Silverton and tell someone your route and return time.
Trail track
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