Guides/Overland routes/Colorado
Overland route9 mi2,700 ft gaindifficulty: moderate

Ophir Pass

RegionColoradoAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Ophir Pass — overland route near Silverton, Colorado, Colorado
Photo by David Hilton via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Trail vitals7 facts
Length
9mi
Elev gain
2,700ft
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance vehicle. 4WD strongly recommended. The road is narrow with limited passing turnouts; stock high-clearance SUVs handle it in dry conditions.
Best months
Jul, Aug, Sep
Cell coverage
None on the pass
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Ophir Pass is a 9-mile 4WD route over an 11,789-foot pass in southwestern Colorado's San Juan Mountains, connecting Highway 145 near Telluride with US-550 between Silverton and Ouray. The pass is widely considered one of the easiest of the San Juan high alpine passes — most high-clearance SUVs handle the route in dry summer conditions, though 4WD is strongly recommended for the loose-rock sections and narrow shelf-road segments.

The road's name comes from the town of Ophir on the western side, a small mountain hamlet near the pass's western trailhead. The pass was originally Howard Pass, named for an early prospector. Open July through September depending on snow.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Snow closure. October through June most years.
  • Shelf-road exposure. Eastern descent has narrow sections with significant drops.
  • Lightning. Summit hit by afternoon thunderstorms.
  • Cell coverage. None.
  • Altitude. Pass at 11,789 feet.
  • Loose rock. Wet sections become slippery.
  • Motorcycle traffic. Common; watch for them on blind curves.

Location

9 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 37.842, -107.776

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townSilverton, Colorado
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan
ClosedOct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Approx. location37.842, -107.776

Getting there

Directions

Western access (Ophir). From State Route 145 at Ophir, drive east through town. Forest Service Road 630 begins at the eastern edge.

Eastern access (US-550). From US-550 between Silverton and Ouray, look for the marked Ophir Pass Road sign on the west side of the highway, between mileposts 64 and 65.

Approximate pass summit coordinates: 37.842° N, -107.776° W.

Photos

3 photos

Photos · 3

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Ophir Pass sits in San Miguel and San Juan counties, between Highway 145 (the San Juan Skyway between Telluride and Cortez) and US-550 (the Million Dollar Highway between Silverton and Ouray). The pass is 13 miles south of Telluride via the town of Ophir, or accessible from Silverton via the western leg of US-550. Forest Service Road 630 is the official road designation. Earliest known human use of the pass dates to Navajo hunting trips before 1870.

Trail Overview

From the western trailhead at the town of Ophir, Forest Service Road 630 climbs east through aspen and spruce forest to the pass at 11,789 feet. The road is narrow but graded, with a few passing turnouts. Above timberline at the pass, the road descends east through scree fields and alpine tundra to the eastern trailhead on US-550. The eastern descent has a shelf-road section that requires the most caution — narrow with downhill exposure on the right.

Driving the pass takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours one-way. Most travelers run it as a one-way trip, often combining it with the Million Dollar Highway (US-550) and Imogene Pass for a multi-day San Juan loop.

Points of Interest

  • Ophir town site. Small mountain settlement at the western trailhead.
  • The summit at 11,789 feet. Panoramic views of the San Juan high country.
  • Mineral Basin. A glacial cirque visible from the pass.
  • OPUS Hut. A backcountry hut near the pass, accessible via Ophir Pass Road and a short hike.
  • Mining ruins. Multiple stone foundations and cabin sites along the road.
  • Wildflower meadows. Late July and early August.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed along the road on Forest Service land with the standard 14-day stay limit. The Mill Creek and South Mineral campgrounds (developed Forest Service campgrounds with fees) sit near the route. Telluride and Silverton have commercial RV options.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Travel July through September. Snow closes the pass October through June or early July.
  • Yield to uphill traffic on the narrow shelf section.
  • Carry water; the route has no potable water.
  • Lightning hits the alpine summit regularly. Plan to be off the high section by afternoon.
  • Cell coverage is absent.
  • The road sees significant motorcycle and ATV traffic. Drive cautiously.
  • Stay on the road. Off-road driving in the alpine is illegal and damaging.
  • Watch for marmots, elk, and mule deer.
  • Contact the San Juan National Forest's Columbine Ranger District at 970-884-2512 for current conditions.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Ophir Pass?
Ophir Pass is rated moderate. The route runs 9 miles with 2,700 feet of elevation gain.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Ophir Pass?
High-clearance vehicle. 4WD strongly recommended. The road is narrow with limited passing turnouts; stock high-clearance SUVs handle it in dry conditions.
When is the best time to visit Ophir Pass?
The best months are Jul, Aug, Sep. Avoid Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun.
Is there cell service at Ophir Pass?
None on the pass