Black Bear Pass

Bummed to find out the trail was closed after driving out here. This is at the top of my bucket list trails I have right now. But I discovered you can run the lower part of the trail up to the house on the cliff with the waterfall. That was still really cool. Although I can't talk to rating as the part I did was 2wd Honda Civics on it, but doesn't matter as the lower part was still worth the drive. Being aired down made life nice.

Black bear pass is closed. Was never opened for the 2023 season. Please check with Core or land management in telluride before going.

From San Miguel Sheriff.

Not sure what all the back and forth has been about but Black Bear is still officially closed per San Miguel County Sheriff.

We started at highway 550 and made it all the way to Telluride on Sunday, August 13th. We took a picture of what remains of the snow drift just beyond the pass. Overall, the trail seemed to be in good shape.

The Telluride side of the pass is still blocked by several snowdrifts. You can drive to the summit from Highway 550, but don't expect to be taking the pass down into Telluride anytime soon unless you bring a team of shovelers.

I ran this trail on a dirt bike and could push through the snow plug on my light dirt bike. looked as the jeeps had to turn around just pass the top of the pass / where the Black bear pass sign is at. The snow plug was about 1/4 mile pass the said sign. It looked as though jeeps had started a alternate route to get around the snow but I did not fallow that path. So on a light dirt bike this trail is ease, but I can see why the stair case make this for jeeps tippy and difficult.

Although the narrow ledges and switchbacks make this trail challenging, it is not a difficult trail for an experienced off-roader. It is not for a novice driver and definitely demands your attention as one miscalculation on the switchbacks will likely cost you your life.

Did not attempt to come from Ouray side, as rumor and photos abounded that several snow drifts still blocked the path. There is some doubt that it will open at all this year, short of the clubs getting at it with shovels. Drove as far up from Telluride as the road allows, cooled off at the base of the waterfall, waved at the house and turned around. Honestly, if the switchbacks at the bottom are any indication of what they're like at the top, this seems it would be much more of a mental hurdle than a driving challenge. I also *love* my Xterra's turning radius, I rarely have to do a multi-point for any reason but my own comfort, I saw a lot of slightly longer wheelbases struggling with the corners. My wife won't ride past the turnaround from the other side, so I'll have to hold off on this one for a different trip, but if you stop in to see it from the Telluride side, the water is roaring!

Open on the east side to the top of the pass and about 1/8" mile down the Telluride side until the trail is blocked by snow. Stay on the trail. do not attempt to drive around the snow!

Trail is still snow-packed betweens waypoints 3 and 4.

A recent winter storm in the Ouray/ Silverton area has dropped a measurable amount of snow and high winds have been in the area. Some high country routes in the area may be passable but high country travel is not recommended.

We did this trail in mid-October. The trail was snow covered as we descended from the summit, but it was dry before the switchbacks. The views are incredible! There is no way to overstate that. Most of the trail is fairly easy, but there are a few off camber spots and good size rocks to navigate that make the trail earn its rating. The switchbacks are not difficult although they can be scary because of how far down the drop is. Having a spotter makes if fairly easy. There were two Gladiators in our group. They made it just fine but did have a harder time making though the switchbacks. This trail should be on everyone's bucket list in my opinion.

Always a great trail as long as you are vigilant and have some wheeling experience. Not recommended for full size rigs since the switchbacks under the falls seem to be sluffing and out of shape this year. The most difficult sections are one way only so dont be "that guy" that jams up the flow. Take your time and use low range and use a spotter if in doubt.

Trail was relatively quiet which made for an excellent trip! Views were spectacular as usual and the trail was in better condition than I've seen it in the past!

Another amazing trail in the San Juans. This was my first time on Black Bear, and I had a blast. Technically speaking, this trail is just as easy as many other trails in the area (vehicle dependent - the steps can be a bit trickier in an IFS vehicle). The scare factor is why I agree with the 5 - there are several "no fall zones". If you have any experience with narrow shelf roads and multi-point turns, I think Black Bear won't pose too much of a challenge. I personally felt that the hype of the danger was much greater than the danger itself.

Did the trail in my stock 4Runner SR5. Have BFG KO2 275/70/17s. Made it down with no problems. Needed a bit more ground clearance. Scraped a few times but no damage sustained. This was my most extreme trail I’ve done by far! Luckily a nice couple spotted us down the steps. Glad I did it but never want to again! Scary!

Just the right amount of pucker factor! The steps where a pretty good drop, but on point for a "5" trail make sure you are ready for that. The most sketchy part of the shelf is right at the beginning, and the first switch back has a big rock on the right that you want to be aware of. I was a little reckless and was glad I had a rock slider on that side, otherwise I would have banged on the rock. The drive up the first half is very scenic, but the views after the steps looking down at Telluride is amazing. No camping on either side of the trail though.

Awesome trail. Seemed a bit sketchier then last year. This time it was wife and I. No other rigs with. Steps were great. Phenomenal views. A must do!

Amazing views and awesome trail even before the one way section. Just fine in a DCLB 3rd gen Tacoma.

Open and in good condition. Ran it in a JT. The stairs were easier and the switchbacks harder than in a wrangler.

We ran Black Bear this morning in 2:45 flat pavement to bridal veil Falls. The trail is no joke and definitely one of the more difficult trails I've run in Colorado. We had a 99 F-150 on 35 mud tires and 2.5 inch lift with rock sliders and tons of armor. The whole truck was built by me over 3 years and stays on trails non-stop. I work on brakes, suspension, rebuild engines and transmissions anything mechanical I can do and well. The truck is long but just a bit wider than a Rubicon on 35s. My girl spotted me on several sections and that definitely was needed. I thought the obstacles before the steps and the steps the hardest but were not too bad as long as you have a good spotter and take your time. The steep sections are best in neutral as 4Lo pushes you forward and you have more control over your braking.

Per San Miguel County Road and Bridge: Thanks to the crew, Black Bear Pass has been reopened after the slide last week.

Per San Miguel County Sheriff's Office: Deputies, San Miguel County Search and Rescue, and Sheriff’s Office aircraft responded to the Ingram Falls area of Black Bear Pass for reports of mudslides that left eight vehicles and fifteen occupants stranded. Four of the vehicles were safely able to turn around near “the stairs,” and drive back down the pass. The other four vehicles will remain on Bridal Veil Rd. until it’s safe to drive them down; their occupants were guided down by rescuers to awaiting UTVs and patrol cars. There were no reported injuries. Video taken by one of the motorists. *Black Bear Pass, Bridal Veil Rd., and the Bridal Veil Trail will remain closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until at least Tuesday when County Road and Bridge estimates the area will be cleared and safe for travel.

Got to run Black Bear Backwards today with Western Slope 4 Wheelers. One day each summer they pull a permit for the club to drive up from the Telluride side. Great day.

Completed the trail in my 2010 Jeep Liberty; from the trail head to Bear Pass, the trail was quite easy (maybe a 2 at most), but made it easier to enjoy the awesome views. After heading down the pass and into the one way section; as long as you picked the correct line for your vehicle (it would be good to know what your angles of approach and descent are that you and your vehicle are capable of), it really doesn't feel like a 5. I'll definitely be back, would like to see the pass without being in the clouds

Ran this trail on a stock 2022 Chevy Colorado ZR2 crew cab with some extra skid plates. I’m not very experienced so a spotter was helpful on the steps and on a couple of the switchbacks. Did scrape my belly and hitch once or twice. Overall not terribly difficult and a ton of fun with gorgeous views of telluride.

The trail offers some amazing views as you drive into Telluride. I believe the difficulty to be over hyped. There were a couple of sections were tire placement is important. Take it slow and use your common sense on the switch backs and you’ll be fine in a stock vehicle with 4 low.

Trail has melted out all the way through and is now passable for the season

San Miguel County announced that Bridal Veil Falls and the surrounding hiking areas are now accessible. The main Pass for Black Bear is not open yet though.

Weather Forecasts for the San Juan Mountains call for a significant amount of snow in the coming days. Although some routes may be open, travel over these high mountain passes in winter conditions are not advised.

Incredible trail! There are some challenging off camber areas just before The Steps. Views from the switchbacks made it all worth it! Highly recommend!

Really enjoyed the trail, the challenge of the trail certainly was not as crazy as all the youtube videos make it out to be that said this is a moderate trail with severe consequences. Definitely approach it as a very difficult trail and respect the obstacles and you should be fine. If you are a beginner I strongly recommend going with a group as well as with someone who has run the trail before. All obstacles were easily managed with my Tacoma TRD OR with +2.5" lift, 265/75/16 tires. The steps take a cautious approach over the center and you'll be fine (make sure you have a spotter). Yes, every vehicle in our group made it down the trail un-scathed, including the yukon. The only damage we suffered was a broken phone screen from my wife dropping my phone from the top of the steps.

Pass 2 of 3 for 2021 Labor day. Decided to go over Black Bear after coming down Engineer pass to get into Telluride for the night. Beautiful clear day and I had the trail essentially to myself (because I started around 2 PM). I spent hours pouring over youtube, reviews on this site and others trying to see if I could make it over in my Grand Cherokee trailhawk. The trail from the start to just before the steps (WP7) is relatively smooth and easy. Just before the steps are two off camber ledges that gave me the most trouble (under the old cable that stretches across the trail) . Being a vehicle with independent front and rear suspension, I do not flex and tip very easily. I really had to line up straight to the second drop off. Past that, the actual steps were not that bad. I really had to hug the wall on adios corner but made it down just fine. The switchbacks went ok but I was on two wheels on the second one (WP10) after the switchback of legend. I had a good time but probably won't run this trail again in my GC.

The trails climbs pretty steep right out of the gate. I used 4-low for the climb just to take some strain off of the transmission and engine. The top was scenic but we had lots of cloud cover so the immediate area was most visible. The descent from the top to the switch backs has lots of tight turns and small obstacles to get your ready for what's to come. When you reach the stairs it looks really bad from the top but once rolling down you can see you have plenty of room. After that the switchbacks required a three point turn for the most part until we reached the falls. From there it was a bumpy road full of hikers down into town. When we hit town we drove through the middle of a film festival until we were able to cut up to the start of Imogene Pass. Maybe it's not always so bad but be careful of people walking into traffic between cars and bikes doing whatever they want on the road. I had on pair riding down the wrong side of the road coming at me and another swerve around my passenger side as I was making a right turn.

Iconic, scenic, and worth the trip. This is not a diffiicult trail but one that requires close driver attention.

The most visual trail we have been on! Nothing like Arizona. The mountains are amazing and the trail is worth the trip! The steps and the narrow shelf road gets yur blood flowing and the views just keep on coming from begining to end!

Black Bear... What can be said! It was not as difficult as everyone says, actually not bad at all but it does take every bit of your attention! If you don't like heights this one is not for you. Much of the trail is easy Alpine trail above the tree line with some cool mining history all around. Getting spotted down the steps and when we got to the bottom of them I was like "When do we get to the steps?" and was told "We just did them." The first turn is pretty scary but after that just take it easy and watch the road, not the scenery. The switchbacks get easier as you go down and Telluride is a cool town.

There is so much hype about this trail that it terrifies many people out of even going. While it certainly has Sever consequences if you make a mistake, it really is a low-moderate trail in terms of difficulty. That being said, I have personally watched people with a lot of rock crawling experience have a complete mental breakdown right after the first switchback going down.

Decided to change our plans and run black bear today since it was sunny and no chance of weather, blue skies and puffy clouds. Watching videos online probably hurt us a bit from the anxiety aspect. There was some great info but the number of folks freaking out kind of made us build this up in our minds. That being said, the trail for the most part is just a shelf road which we run a lot in CO so probably not as crazy for us. The steps did take some looking but ran it without a spotter since the spotter was taking video. The first big switchback needed a spotter just to not have to turn as many times. Over all a very fun trail, and not as hard or scary as I had built up in my head. That could also change with trail conditions.

This was my second and last time on Black Bear pass. The trail is not crazy difficult as long as you pay attention but if you're terrified of heights like me it SUCKS. Scenery is amazing but it gets busy and this year seems to have been a bad year for rollovers. Black bear was closed the day we were supposed to run it for about 24 hours due to a rollover just past ingram falls.

Very rewarding trail. There are some large obstacles from the oneway/downhill-only point through the steps that tested the sliders of the stock JLUR, but I thought the steps themselves were not the most technical section (at least not when we ran it during dry/sunny conditions). We had a great time, and I would definitely recommend this trail.

Per San Miguel County--- Black Bear Pass is officially OPEN.

I was traveling out west and stopped in Telluride for a couple days. I drove through town and wanted to see Bridal Veil Falls. So, as it turns out, it is Black Bear Pass trail that you take up to the waterfall and powerhouse, starting at the end point of Black Bear Pass and going the opposite direction from the description here. Although I encountered some packed snow a short way up, I made it up the switchbacks to the powerhouse easily. My first time driving in snow in my Jeep (I live in Alabama). Oh, and the waterfall was almost completely frozen. Still, it was quite beautiful.

The county has closed the trails for the season due to snowfall.

Saw this crash in the news from October 10th: https://abc7ny.com/jeep-crash-telluride-video-trail/7261060/

An epic trail that will keep your knuckles white as you hit the switchbacks toward Telluride.

Difficult they say, dangerous they say! be careful they say! :) spectacular view!

San Miguel County has temporarily closed Black Bear Pass at this time.

Awesome day. First on the trail, didn’t see anyone else.

Some of the best scenery of any trail you'll find. The road is not overly technical, "merely" treacherous. Some photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/73617693@N06/albums/72157716641372916

Recent snows have melted enough that the trail is open. I did the trail on 9/13/20 with my 2001 TJ along with 2 JL Rubicons, and a JK sport. None of us had any problems. Overall this is not a difficult trail if you have some off roading experience. There are some narrow spots, especially on the switchbacks. It was much easier than I thought it would be after reading other reviews.

Recent snows have rendered Blackbear impassable for now. Word has it that the trail is muddy to the summit but snow has blocked the trail on the Telluride side.

That was awesome! Was glad to have a spotter at the steps and the rest was fairly easy and fun trail.

Unbelievable trail. My first run of Black Bear Pass and did with the CCC4W Club. So glad to do it with the club and experience drivers. We started out of Ouray up the Red Mountain on the Million Dollar highway. Then a beautiful climb to the Black Bear Pass. The decent was very enjoyable with the vast variance in sections (downhill from pass, steps by river, waterfalls, and cliff switchbacks). The view were breathtaking. There are section on the trail that can really cause issues if you take the wrong line, but very doable if taken slow. Ran it in with a stock JL Rubicon.

Weather was amazing and the trail was outstanding. Being a holiday weekend the traffic was insane and the people who had been before said it was unusually heavy.

Awesome trail! Loved, loved, loved this one. Was a little technical pass the summit and the switchbacks weren't as bad as described. Just pay attention to your wheels.

This, combined with Imogene, was quite possibly the most intense and exciting experience of my life... so far. I completely agree with the previous review that there were some obstacles prior to the steps which were far more difficult and challenging. This is without a doubt a bucket list trail. Did I white knuckle the steering wheel? Yes. Did I have to nervous tinkle numerous times prior to the steps? Yes. Did I feel like a bad ass when I got to the bottom? Yes. Yes I did!

Honestly I didn’t think the steps were that bad. There are a few obstacles before them though that I found more challenging. Added a few new scratches to the skid plates but the views were completely worth it!

This is definitely a bucket list trail for the views alone. Coming down off of the steps and looking over into Telluride is amazing and pictures don’t come close to doing it justice. Definitely off camber in areas leading up to and on the steps that require slow movements and full attention. Ran the whole trail in a JK Sport with MTs and a disconnected sway bar. The extra flex up front definitely helps to keep all tires planted but I think a stock JK should be able to get through the trail without issue as long as the right lines are followed. I ended up between a group of vehicles from Nevada and they were nice enough to spot me through which sped up how long the obstacles took. Although a good amount of stock vehicles could probably make it through, having a short wheelbase and decent articulation made it much easier. There are a few reviews that say this trail isn’t super technical, there are areas where picking the wrong line can put you in a bad spot and it should not be taken lightly given how serious going off the trail can be.

Spectacular trail while being achievable to most 4X4's as long as you have some experience.

Wow. My first time running Black Bear and it was nothing short of incredible. The views were way better than I thought they would be. The steps weren’t too bad, just take your time. There are a couple unnamed rocky obstacles before the steps that you should use caution on. If you hit them at the wrong angle it could roll you on your drivers side. The switchbacks weren’t too bad. The road is narrow but not as narrow as Devil’s Punchbowl / Schofield Pass. The tightest switchback wasn’t even that bad. My buddy just had to backup once in his 4 door Wrangler. Excellent trail and it was not as scary as everyone makes it out to be.

Ran this trail for the first time - absolutely epic views! The Steps are terrifying, but if you're paying close (close, close, close) attention, following a good line from the vehicle in front of you, and/or have a good spotter, they're not as bad as I thought they'd be. I'd run this trail again in a heartbeat - it's just amazing!

The mudslide is clear Black Bear was declared OPEN per San Miguel County.

Black Bear Pass is closed until further notice as a result of a mudslide on the lower portion of Bridal Bell Falls Rd.

Earned it's reputation! Glad I had a crew in front of me and was able to use their spotter for "The Steps" section. I had just had my brakes replaced and serviced a week prior, driven up from Denver, just run Imogene the day before, and then they decided to give out at the to of the switchbacks. Horrifying reminder to double check everything important before you go on a trail as an unnoticed slow leak of brake fluid caused the failure. Thankfully, we made it to the bottom thanks to the help of some other trail users without any harm to my passengers or myself. Not an incredibly technical trail, but there are a few spots that require some careful line choice as they can be steep or off-camber with some serious consequences.

Was able to get on Blackbear Pass soon after it opened for the season. Was a great ride and a Hell of a view. Started raining about the time I got to the top so made it a bit more interesting. Not a hard trail but can mess with you head a bit being close to the edge that high up.

Hands down one of my top 3 favorite trails to run. Got to the trail head pretty early to beat the "traffic" and the notorious afternoon storms...and to time our lunch in Telluride. Wildflowers made every trial that weekend much better.

What a great trail! No obstacles on the way up to the pass, and a bit past it. Any 4x4 can make that part. Once you pass the “extreme road” sign and the one way starts into Telluride, well equipped experts only. I can confirm that there’s not established dispersed campsites on the pass, but there *are* a lot of good places to park and sleep. This might be a 6 based on off-camber shelf road slipperyness in the tough part above Telluride (rather than obstacles); tire placement is life or death critical in at least two places, and I was caught by surprise with an off camber sideslip above the shelf once. I did not find the steps to be the challenging part. It’s probably in the eye of the beholder; experts will say no big deal because there are no serious obstacles; passengers and first timers will feel their mortality. Whether it’s a 5,6, or 7, be advised on the pucker factor and possible risk. We used spotters on the tightest switchback, but not elsewhere. Just stay inside and away from that cliff. Do not bring a full sized truck or van down the telluride switchbacks! Short wheelbase only. A 4Runner or Unlimited/4dr wrangler will work fine. I have seen gladiator and full size vids. I would not want to drive a full size, no way. We ran this in a stock JL 4dr rubi, no sweat. The lifted JK’s in my group had a slightly harder time with the tight spots. Bridal Veil Falls is awesome.

Announced as OPEN today per San Miguel County road and bridge department!

Currently, San Juan County has issued CLOSURES on all their backcountry passes. San Miguel, Hinsdale, and Ouray County issued a travel at your own risk advisory. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/maps-pubs/?cid=fsbdev3_002300

I have not been to Black Bear to verify, but according to San Miguel County Black Bear is open. Be cautious with changing weather conditions as this could change at a moments notice but I will do my best to update the trail guides in this area as soon as the county announces their closures for the season. https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/406/Road-Conditions

Trail is still open but the snow & ice had accumulated beyond what I felt were safe levels to continue past 2.7 miles in.

I believe the rating is a bit high considering the rating given to some other trails, but the pucker factor on this trail descending into Telluride is intense. I made it through no problems with my 2008 Subaru Forester with 2" lift. I believe anyone who is experienced with off roading can make it through this trail with anything that has a relatively short wheel base and decent ground clearance. You definitely do not need a built rig for this. The trail is absolutely amazing. I've traveled Europe, been all over the US, and this was hands down one of the most amazing drives of my life. I will be coming back here at least once a year!

Open again per San Miguel County Road and Bridge

Whelp that didnt take long. Black bear is temporarily closed while San Miguel County removes an overturned vehicle. Bridal Veil Road is open to the falls. Drive safe out there!

We ran Black Bear the morning after it opened for the season as part of the 2019 Unlimited LJ Adventure. Right before the steps there is a massive amount of snow still from what appears to be several avalanches. There was still some snow on the trail, but I'm sure it is melted now. As you come down the Telluride side, the county has done a lot of work to the road and blasted a bunch of rocks. It makes things a bit interesting as there is a ton of loose rock in areas now that were dirt before. It's still as dangerous as ever, so pay attention and do not attempt this trail if you are new to 4 wheeling.

Per San Miguel County Road and Bridge: Black Bear Pass is open. Drive Safe!

Per San Miguel County Road and Bridge: Crews are making progress on Black Bear Pass - it should be open next week.

Visited the lower portion of the trail (closest to Pandora/Telluride), through Waypoints 13 & 14 to access Bridal Veil Falls. Repairs have recently been made to the Ingram Creek crossing at: N37.923795, W107.769816 to reopen the trail to the falls. The culvert was replaced on July 15 due to a washout which occurred on July 14. Quick work by the County kept the closure of the lower part of the road to a minimum. There is a significant amount of water flowing over Bridal Veil Falls and the parking area adjacent to the falls is muddy and slick.

Update from San Miguel County Road and Bridge: Black Bear Pass - Major repairs are needed where the road crosses Ingram Falls. County crews will begin repairs and clear the pass as soon as Imogene has been opened.

Due to the heavy, late snows San Miguel County is not going to be able to start clearing the high mountain passes as early as usual. Plans are to begin Ophir Pass mid-June, followed by Imogene and then Black Bear. Updates will be posted on the County Web Page www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov

I have not been to Black Bear to verify, but according to San Miguel County Black Bear is open. Be cautious with changing weather conditions as this could change at a moments notice but I will do my best to update the trail guides in this area as soon as the county announces their closures for the season. https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/406/Road-Conditions

Black Bear is currently closed due to snow. It is likely to remain closed for the season now, but be sure to check with the local district.

Trail is still open and very dry. Where there are typically waterfalls on the east side, right now they are nothing but trickling water. Ingram Falls and Bridal Veil are very low on volume also. Beyond the water situation, the views are incredible on this trail, and being my first time on it in the fall, it was cool, but I do prefer the lush green scenary better.

I ran this trail into Telluride and Imogene out of Telluride and back to Ouray on September 16th, 2018. The trail has stunning views and is definitely a bucket list / merit badge trail. However, I probably will not return to run the trail again. This area of Colorado has trails that are either prettier or more technical than Black Bear Pass, but few, if any, trails are more dangerous. I just didn't think the risk vs. reward was worth it. For those who are in town visiting and have little experience with shelf roads or are concerned this trail might be too harrowing, I really would recommend Imogene over this one.

Took 3 days to convince my wife to do Black Bear. She ended up loving it.

This is a fun trail and the views are spectacular.

Excellent run. Trail is in great shape.

The trail will be temporarily closed the morning of 7/24 to remove a vehicle from an accident over the weekend. There is no specific time this work is ending. If you are running Black Bear on 7/24, it's best to call the office to find out if they have reopened things.

Officially open per San Muguel County, CO.

From San Miguel County: Black Bear Pass will open Thursday, June 28th at 10:00 a.m.

Officially closed for the winter per San Miguel County, CO. https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=34

Per San Miguel County, CO Black Bear Pass is not recommended for travel as a result of weather conditions: Black Bear Pass- drifts,snow and ice on the north facing aspects. Travel not recommended at this time. http://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=44

What a difference one month can make! In late July, the weather was rainy and cool; in late August, it was dry, clear, and mild. I ran the trail with a group of Isuzu's and my club, Colorado Land Cruisers. We had six rigs total, with no problems on the rocks, shelves, or switchbacks.

What an amazing trail this one is! The views are absolutely incredible and the 2 sides of the pass couldn't be more different. Coming from 550, the trail slowly makes it's way to the summit with a trail wide enough to drive a dump truck on. The summit provides spectacular 360 degree views and once on your way down, you are greeted with narrow shelves and airplane like views of the town of Telluride. The switchbacks after Ingram falls are just as hairy and tight as they have always been, but it seems the more times I do them, the easier I feel behind the wheel.

I drove Black Bear with Greg and Jim to produce the guide; Greg had done Black Bear many times before in Jeeps and his Land Cruiser. This was my first time on Black Bear, and though I've been 4x4'ing for 20+ years, I was anxious. The experience didn't disappoint--this is an outstanding 4x4 road! We met Gary at the trailhead--he and his family were visiting the San Juans from Missouri. He asked if he could join us, of course we said yes! Everyone had a great time and we made memories for a lifetime.

Our First Off-Road Adventure Being from Missouri, opportunities are not exactly plentiful for true sight seeing, off-road adventures. As a member in an off-road vehicle forum, I was intrigued and drawn to Black Bear Pass. I watched several YouTube videos and talked with experienced persons regarding Black Bear being the first trail I wanted to travel. We struck out and planned our trip to the San Juan's with Black Bear at the core of our trip. This being our first real 4x4 trail, we were cautious. My family and I had the distinct pleasure of coming into contact with the TrailsOffRoad mapping crew who were putting together the trail report upon which I am documenting our trip. We followed the crew through the route and found no significant issues or obstacles. Our Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon was more than able to perform with only a couple of incidents where skid plates contacted any rocks, at all. The day was damp and the trail was wet with puddled water in a few distinct areas. Clouds rolled in and obscured some vistas, but overall the trip was at least an 8.5 or 9 out of what could have been a perfect 10! I'm not convinced that the clouds did not add some ethereal quality to the day. The trail appears to be in good shape, having minimal issues with trail quality as compared to my expectations. A few large rocks are present and care must be taken to not attempt to force them aside or simply muscle your way over them. Taking your time will result in a much more enjoyable experience. Please note on the trail report the waypoints as defined for your notice. As a first time trail adventurer, it is my opinion that as long as you have a competent, engaged driver and a 4x4 vehicle with sufficient ground clearance (at least 9"); if you take your time and pay attention to your driving line, have a complete understanding of your own personal limits and the limitations and capabilities of your vehicle, this trail is perfectly attainable for even a first time driver. I was not experienced in Colorado off-road driving, but a complete understanding of my inexperience kept me focused on the road. I feel like I missed out on some scenery by being totally focused on my responsibilities in the driver's seat, but my family's safety and that of our new trail friends was more than enough reason to be completely attuned to the trail. The ascent to Black Bear Pass is not difficult, and the wildflowers in bloom were among the most beautiful and memorable I have experienced in nearly 40 years of Colorado visits. The descent is where the challenge truly begins. Knowing how to use your 4x4 components, knowledge of transmission low gear usage, not riding the brakes - all components of winter driving for anyone who has experience in snow - these are the keys to success on the loose rocks and steep angles of Black Bear Pass. Go slow, watch the road first, pay attention to obstacles and challenges and STOP before you attempt to view scenery. The switchbacks with their 2, 3 and 4 point turns (depending on vehicle) require your complete attention and focus. There are no guard rails to protect you or to impede your view! Remember: Safety First! So long as you make it down safely, you can always travel this route again. Don't put yourself or First Responders in harm's way. Be smart, be sensible and be responsible!