Ophir Pass

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4.8/5 (110 reviews)
Ophir, Colorado (San Miguel County)
Last Updated: 11/30/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Altitude Category Icon Altitude
Forest Category Icon Forest
Iconic Category Icon Iconic
Overland Category Icon Overland
Scenic Category Icon Scenic

Climbing to 11,789 feet and passing through both the Uncompahgre National Forest and the San Juan National Forest, Ophir Pass is a spectacular mountain pass that offers alpine views of the upper Ophir Valley and neighboring peaks. This pass has been traversed for hundreds of years for many different reasons. The pass was originally used by the Navajo on hunting trips between the San Miguel and Animas Valleys. In 1878, the tiny mining town of Ophir was established, and by 1881 the new Ophir Pass Toll Road began to carry goods between early mountain settlements. The arrival of the railroad decreased the use of the pass in the early 1890s, and the road became a rarely used wagon road. Finally, in 1953, the modern Ophir Pass that we know today was first opened to Jeeps and other off-road vehicles. While the shelf roads may test your fortitude, the views off of this iconic trail are well worth an afternoon. For Jeep owners, this road is 1 of 6 trails in Colorado recognized as a Badge of Honor Trail. Don't forget to use the Badge of Honor app to check in and get a special badge showing trail completion.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Ophir Pass is a high alpine 10-mile mountain pass from Highway 145 to Highway 550, connecting Ophir and Silverton. The pass is naturally closed by snowfall each year and plowed open by county road crews late each Spring. The road is bumpy, packed dirt that is well traveled as you leave the town of Ophir and begin ascending 2,000 vertical feet to the summit. There are several small stream crossings but no significant obstacles until you reach the treeline. The final push to the summit is extremely rocky and rough along a loose, narrow shelf road covered with tallus rock that can test the nerves. There are limited passing opportunities above the treeline on the west side, but visibility is very good. Once cresting the summit, the road widens and begins a gradual descent down a hard-packed dirt road. East of the summit, the road number changes as you travel into the San Juan National Forest. Since this trail is fairly easy on vehicles, any stock high-clearance vehicle with 4WD should easily get through in good conditions. Airing down will make your ride a bit smoother. Lingering snow, water, or bad weather can make this trail treacherous.

Trail Reviews

4.8/5 (111)
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Official Crew
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127550
Impassable
Visited: 11/30/2023

These trails are at a high altitude and are impassable until next season!
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200
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 10/07/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Most of the trail was easy. The part from the summit down for the next half mile or so heading west is the narrowest/rockiest and probably why this trail is rated a 3. The majority of the trail is pretty easy though. Leaves were great this time of year.
Trail Review: Ophir Pass - Brian
Trail Review: Ophir Pass - Brian
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Official Crew
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130500
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 10/02/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Made it to Colorado. And this trail was on the list. I did Imogene first, then down this trail. Comparing the two trails isn't fair as Imogene was 20x cooler. But this was a nice alternate way back to Ouray from Telluride, took me about the same amount of time as it would if I drove the highway. The shelf road was cool Waypoints 8 to 10, past that the trail was mild and less than amazing. But maybe because I just came off Imogene. Would I do it again, maybe if I was in the area and I needed a dirt way between Ouray/Silverton and Telluride. But I got my badge, so next time I will likely run Black Bear over (If it ever opens), and then back through Imogene. As far as the trail conditions, I found the trail extremely easy. Ran 2wd High pretty much the full trail. Maybe it was recently graded. Joking aside, the things I slowed down the most for was the reverse speedbumps in town.
Trail Review: Ophir Pass - Josh Noesser
Trail Review: Ophir Pass - Josh Noesser
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Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/21/2023

Ophir is a classic, not much left to be said but watch for traffic on the shelf. only 1 obstacle on the switchback and it was all rock stacked when i got there so it was easy. have fun out there!
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3600
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/20/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

This is about a 2.5. My wife drove the entire trail for her first time doing a 3. I did not find the hiking trail to the lake-strange. Fun easier trail to get from Ouray to Telluride. Also drove up to Bridal Veil Falls from Telluride-worth doing.
Trail Review: Ophir Pass - Scott
Trail Review: Ophir Pass - Scott
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