Ophir Loop Road — San Juan Mountains Historic Mining Circuit via Ophir Pass and Silver Mountain
Shelf roads and silver ghosts above Telluride.
The Ophir Loop doesn’t mess around. Starting from the ghost town flats below Telluride, you climb the north face of Ophir Pass on a narrow shelf road that tops out at 11,789 feet — loose talus, exposure on the driver’s side, and drop-offs that’ll get your attention fast. The old mining road traces routes used by silver pack trains in the 1880s, and the ruins at Ophir town site below are worth a stop before the real grunt work begins. The south descent into Ophir is steeper and rockier than the north approach, with embedded boulders and off-camber pitches that punish long-wheelbase rigs badly.
This is a legitimate difficult trail — not the hardest in the San Juans, but unforgiving if you catch it wet or after an early-season snowfall. A stock 4WD with high clearance will struggle; a properly built rig with lockers and 33-inch tires minimum is the honest call. Best season is July through September. No permits required. Nearest fuel and resupply in Telluride or Silverton. Cell service is gone once you leave town. Dispersed camping is available on adjacent national forest land, but the loop itself is a day run for most rigs.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 11789 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Built 4WD with lockers, 33" tires minimum |
| Nearest town | Telluride, CO |
| Land manager | Uncompahgre National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Uncompahgre NF Recreation |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lightly modified 4Runner or Jeep handle Ophir Loop Road?
Not stock — this trail demands a built 4WD with lockers and at minimum 33" tires. The shelf sections above Ophir town site are narrow and exposed, and the rocky climbs will punish anything with limited articulation or low clearance.
When does Ophir Pass Road typically open and close each season?
Usually open July through September, though snow can linger into early July at the 11,789-ft summit and return without warning in late September. Check current conditions with Uncompahgre National Forest before you go — late-season closures happen fast in the San Juans.
Do I need a permit or is there a fee to run Ophir Loop Road?
No permit required and no fee to drive the trail. It's managed by Uncompahgre National Forest, so standard public land rules apply — pack it in, pack it out, and don't cut switchbacks.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The shelf road climbing above the Ophir town site is the crux — single-lane, loose rock, significant exposure, and no guardrails. Add the steep rocky pitches on the pass itself and you've got a trail that will find every weakness in your rig and your nerve.
Is there water available on trail, and where's the nearest gas before I head out?
There are water crossings on the route but no treated water sources, so carry what you need. Fuel up in Telluride before you leave — there's no gas on the loop, and the nearest reliable station is back in town when you finish.
Trail track
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