Getting Oriented
Imogene Pass crosses the Uncompahgre National Forest in San Miguel and Ouray counties, between two historic mining towns: Ouray ("the Switzerland of America") on the north and Telluride on the south. The pass takes its name from the Imogene Basin, named in turn for the daughter of a 19th-century mine owner. Tomboy Mine, near the summit, was the second-largest gold mine in the world at its peak in the 1890s; its stone ruins are the route's main historic attraction.
Trail Overview
From Ouray, the route climbs Camp Bird Mine Road past Camp Bird Mine — still active, still no public access. Above Camp Bird the road turns onto Imogene Road, climbs through Upper Camp Bird, and switchbacks up to the Imogene Basin. The summit at 13,114 feet sits at the divide between the Uncompahgre and San Miguel drainages.
From the summit the road drops onto Tomboy Road, passes the Tomboy ghost town ruins, and switchbacks down a narrow shelf into Telluride. The Tomboy side has the most exposure — single-lane shelf with significant drops, no guardrails, and limited turnouts. Driving the full pass takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours without stops.
Points of Interest
- Tomboy ghost town. Stone ruins of a 1890s mining town that produced gold and silver. National Register of Historic Places.
- Imogene Basin. Glacial cirque with mine ruins and a small lake.
- Camp Bird Mine. Active mining operation visible from the road. No public access.
- The summit. Second-highest drivable pass in Colorado at 13,114 feet.
- Bridal Veil Falls overlook. Distant view of Colorado's tallest waterfall on the Telluride side.
- Yankee Boy Basin spur. Off Camp Bird Road, accessing wildflower meadows below Mt. Sneffels.
Where to Camp
Dispersed camping is allowed in the surrounding national forest with the standard 14-day stay limit. There are no developed campgrounds on the pass itself. Amphitheater Campground above Ouray and Telluride Town Park are the closest fee campgrounds. The Ouray and Telluride sides both have commercial RV parks and lodging.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Travel July through September. Snow closes the pass October through June or early July.
- Carry recovery gear, a full-size spare, and a plug kit. Tire damage on rocks is common.
- Cell coverage is absent on the pass.
- Drive Telluride to Ouray to take the technical northern side downhill (slightly easier).
- Yield to uphill traffic. Backing up on shelf-road sections is dangerous.
- Lightning hits the high passes regularly in summer afternoons. Plan to be off the summit by noon.
- Watch for hikers and runners (the Imogene Pass Run, an annual race, uses the route).
- Stay on the road. Off-road driving destroys the alpine tundra, which takes centuries to recover.
- Contact the Uncompahgre National Forest's Ouray Ranger District at 970-240-5300 for current conditions.
