Ophir Pass Road — Silverton to Telluride via the San Juan High Country
13,114 feet of San Juan shelf road.
Ophir Pass sits at 13,114 feet and earns every foot of that elevation. The road climbs out of Silverton on County Road 8, winds through spruce and aspen, then sheds the trees entirely as it pitches up a narrow, rocky shelf cut into the talus above timberline. The final push to the summit is loose scree and embedded rock — nothing dramatic by San Juan standards, but enough to remind you this isn’t a gravel road tour. From the top you’re staring down into the Ophir Valley with Telluride’s canyon walls visible to the north. The descent drops you into a rugged bowl before connecting to Colorado Highway 145 near Telluride. Total run is roughly 9 miles one way. Ophir townsite ruins sit near the base on the west side — worth five minutes.
This is a legitimate high-clearance 4WD trail. Skid plates, good all-terrains, and a low-range transfer case are minimum equipment. The shelf sections are narrow — pulling over for oncoming traffic requires nerve and a steady wheel. Snow can linger on the summit into July and return by September; plan accordingly. No permits, no fees. Cell service drops out completely on both approaches. Dispersed camping is available on national forest land below the pass on both sides. Fill fuel and water in Silverton or Telluride before you head up.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Gravel, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 9 mi / 14.5 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 13114 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Silverton, CO |
| Land manager | San Juan National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| 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 modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with low-range will get most people over Ophir Pass. Skid plates help on the rocky sections near the summit, and all-terrain tires are strongly preferred — street tires on loose shelf road at 13,000 feet is a bad time.
When does Ophir Pass Road typically open and close each year?
The pass is generally accessible from mid-July through late September, depending on snowpack. Early season can leave significant snow on the west side near the summit even into July — check conditions with the San Juan National Forest before committing.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to drive Ophir Pass?
No permit or fee is required to drive Ophir Pass Road. It's managed by San Juan National Forest and open to the public during the accessible season.
What's the hardest section of Ophir Pass and what makes it sketchy?
The west side descent toward Telluride is the crux — narrow shelf road with loose rock, steep drop-offs, and almost no room to pass oncoming traffic. Uphill traffic has the right of way, so be ready to back up if you meet someone on a blind corner.
Is there any cell service on Ophir Pass, and how close is the nearest gas?
There is no cell service on this trail. Fuel up in Silverton before you leave — it's a small town but has gas, and the next real services toward Telluride are over the pass and down the mountain.
Trail track
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