Getting Oriented
Black Bear Pass crosses the divide between the Animas and San Miguel river drainages in Ouray and San Miguel counties. The pass starts at the summit of Red Mountain Pass on US-550 — itself a notable mountain crossing — and descends west to Telluride. Bridal Veil Falls, the highest waterfall in Colorado at 365 feet, plunges off the cliffs the road switchbacks down. The pass takes its name from a black bear that allegedly inspired its construction.
Trail Overview
From Red Mountain Pass on US-550, the road climbs east through high alpine basins past the ruins of mining-era cabins. The pass summit at 12,840 feet sits in a barren talus field. From the summit the road descends west — moderate dirt for the first miles, with views into the upper Bridal Veil Basin.
Then the switchbacks. The road narrows to a single lane with no turnouts, drops 1,500 feet in less than a mile, and turns through tight corners that require multiple back-up maneuvers in some vehicles. A fully functional parking brake is essential; a brake failure on this section is generally fatal. The road passes Bridal Veil Falls and the Smuggler-Union Hydroelectric Plant before depositing drivers into Telluride.
Driving the full pass takes 3 to 4 hours.
Points of Interest
- Red Mountain Pass summit. Trailhead on US-550. Mining-era ruins visible from the highway.
- Pass summit. 12,840 feet, on the divide between two major drainages.
- The Steps and Tight Corners. The switchback section above Telluride — the technical crux of the route.
- Bridal Veil Falls. Colorado's tallest waterfall at 365 feet. Visible on the descent.
- Smuggler-Union Hydroelectric Plant. A historic 1890s power plant on the cliff face, still operating.
- Ingram Falls. A second waterfall visible along the descent.
Where to Camp
Dispersed camping is allowed in the surrounding national forest with the standard 14-day stay limit. No developed campgrounds on the route itself. The Telluride Town Park and the Ouray-area campgrounds are the closest options.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Travel late July through September. The pass is impassable the rest of the year.
- Inspect brakes, emergency brake, and tires before starting. Brake failure on the switchbacks is generally fatal.
- Travel one-way only (Red Mountain Pass to Telluride). The road is one-way for the descent.
- Drive the route with someone who has done it before, or consider a guided jeep tour.
- Carry recovery gear; recovery is rarely needed but extraction takes hours.
- Lightning hits the alpine sections in summer afternoons. Start early.
- Cell coverage is absent.
- Children and nervous passengers find the descent stressful. Consider sending them around via US-550 and meeting in Telluride.
- Yield to ATVs and side-by-sides on the lower section.
- Contact the Uncompahgre National Forest's Norwood Ranger District at 970-327-4261 for current conditions.
