Ophir Pass Road — Silverton to Telluride via the San Juan High Alpine Crossing
12,800 feet. Shelf road. No guardrails.
Ophir Pass Road (Forest Road 679) connects Silverton to the Telluride box canyon via a 12,800-foot summit through the heart of the San Juan Mountains — one of the most scenically violent landscapes in the lower 48. The route climbs out of Silverton on a maintained gravel road before narrowing to a single-lane shelf cut into the San Juan cliff face on the Telluride side. That west descent is where drivers earn their stripes: steep, loose shale switchbacks with significant exposure and no guardrails, dropping into the hanging valley above Ophir town. The summit offers unobstructed views of the Sneffels and Wetterhorn ranges. At 13,500 feet in any direction you look, there’s another 14er.
Rated moderate to difficult, Ophir is accessible to stock 4x4s with high clearance and experienced drivers, but the west-side descent is genuinely unforgiving on a bad tire day — bring a full-size spare and aired-down tires (25 psi). Wheelbase matters here: long trucks struggle on the tighter switchbacks. Open roughly late June through early October depending on snowpack; check San Juan National Forest road conditions before heading up. No permit required. No services on the pass — fuel in Silverton before you leave. The whole crossing runs under 10 miles but plan for 2–3 hours minimum if you stop to breathe it in, which you will.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Scenic Drive, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 9.5 mi / 15.3 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 12800 ft |
| Best season | Late June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Silverton, Colorado |
| Land manager | San Juan National Forest, USDA Forest Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS San Juan NF Recreation Area San Juan NF Motor Vehicle Use Map |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle Ophir Pass without a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Wrangler or 4Runner can run Ophir Pass, but you'll want lockers or good AT tires for the loose rock and steep shelf sections near the summit. Lifted rigs have more margin for error on the rockier pitches. A stock Tacoma or Tundra is borderline — not impossible, but you'll be picking your lines carefully.
When does Ophir Pass Road typically open and close each year?
The pass usually opens late June once snowpack clears, and closes by late October — sometimes earlier after early-season storms. Snow can linger at 12,800 feet well into June, and surprise storms can drop snow any month of summer. Check current road conditions with San Juan National Forest before you go.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to drive Ophir Pass?
No permit or fee required to drive the pass itself — it's a Forest Service road on San Juan National Forest land. Dispersed camping is free but follow Leave No Trace and the 14-day stay limit. No permit system currently exists for this corridor.
What's the hardest section of Ophir Pass and what makes it sketchy?
The west side descent toward Telluride is the nastiest stretch — a narrow shelf road cut into loose shale with steep drop-offs and zero guardrails. The surface is unstable in spots, and the road is barely one lane wide. Oncoming traffic on that section means someone is backing up, so go slow and stay alert.
Is there any cell service or water on the trail, and how far is the nearest gas from either trailhead?
Expect zero cell service from start to finish — this is a true communications blackout zone, so download offline maps and let someone know your plan. No reliable water sources on the trail itself; carry everything you need. Gas up in Silverton before you leave; it's 9.5 miles to the Telluride side, and Telluride is your next fuel option.
Trail track
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