San Juan Mountains, Colorado

📍 Overview

• Location: San Juan Mountains, Southwestern Colorado

• Elevation: 11,789 feet

• Connects: Ophir ↔ Telluride via FS Road 679

• Seasonal Access: ✅ Summer (late June–Oct) | ❄️ Closed in winter

• Best For: Scenic drives, hiking, backcountry exploring, photography

• Pet Friendly: ✅ Yes, with precautions

• Drone Use: ⚠️ Limited – see drone rules below

• Difficulty:

  • 🚙 Drive: Moderate/Hard (4WD required)

  • 🥾 Hike: Easy to Moderate (optional ridge and tundra walks)

Why Visit Ophir Pass?

Nestled high in the San Juan Mountains, Ophir Pass offers a raw, untamed slice of Colorado’s alpine beauty. Whether you’re behind the wheel of a rugged 4x4 or hiking above the treeline, this high mountain pass showcases towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, colorful wildflowers, and a unique glimpse into Colorado’s mining past.

Ophir Pass connects the remote town of Ophir to Telluride, making it both a functional route and a scenic backroad adventure. In the summer, the pass opens to 4WD vehicles and hikers, while in winter, it becomes a snow-covered paradise for backcountry skiers and snowmobilers.

The Drive: Off-Road Details

🛻 Ophir Pass Road (Forest Road 679)

• Vehicle Requirements:

  • High-clearance 4WD only

  • Low-range gearing recommended

• Direction:

  • East → West (from US-550 to Ophir) = easier

  • West → East (Ophir to the summit) = more technical with narrow, shelfy sections

• Length: ~8 miles (point-to-point)

• Drive Time: ~45–90 minutes (conditions depending)

Drive Highlights:

• Stunning alpine switchbacks

• Sheer drop-offs with commanding views

• Wildflowers and mining ruins

• Access to remote campsites and trailheads

🥾 Hiking & Outdoor Exploration

Ophir Pass isn’t just for off-roaders. It’s a fantastic launch point for alpine hiking, wildflower walks, and off-trail exploring.

Hiking Options:

• Short hikes from the summit: Enjoy panoramic views of the Sneffels and San Miguel Ranges

• Alpine tundra loops: Follow informal social trails to ridges and meadows

• Access to nearby Lookout Peak, Wasatch Mountain, and V9

Wildflower Season:

• Mid-July to early August

• Features columbine, paintbrush, lupine, and more

🐾 Is It Pet Friendly?

✅ Yes! Dogs are allowed throughout Ophir Pass and surrounding National Forest land.

Pet Tips:

• Leash not legally required but strongly recommended due to:

  • Steep cliffs

  • Wildlife (marmots, deer, mountain goats)

  • Off-road vehicles

• Bring plenty of water—there are no reliable streams at high elevation

• Protect paws from sharp scree and hot sun-exposed rock

• A first-aid kit are wise if you're hiking or driving long distances

🌩️ Weather & Safety

At nearly 12,000 feet, weather conditions on Ophir Pass are extremely volatile and can shift rapidly.

⚠️ Weather Hazards:

• Lightning: Common in the afternoons during summer—be off the summit before noon

• Sudden snow, hail, or windstorms—even in July or August

• Snowfields may linger into late June

• The road can wash out or become impassable after storms

🧭 Safety Checklist:

• Start early

• Pack warm, waterproof layers

• Bring GPS or offline maps (no cell service)

• Carry extra water, snacks, and an emergency kit

• Let someone know your plans if going solo

⛺ Camping & Lodging

Dispersed Camping:

• Allowed along Forest Road 679 and connecting side roads

• Free, first-come, first-served

• No amenities—pack it in, pack it out

• Popular with overlanders and vanlifers

🏕️ Nearby Campgrounds:

• Alta Lakes Campground – Epic views, first-come, free

• Priest Lake Campground – Quiet, scenic near Telluride

• Matterhorn Campground – Developed site near Trout Lake

🏡 Lodging Options:

• Telluride – Luxury hotels, lodges, restaurants (15–20 min away)

• Ophir – Very limited services (mainly locals and off-grid cabins)

• Silverton / Ouray – Great base if exploring other mountain passes like Imogene or Red Mountain

🧭 Directions

From Telluride:

• Take CO-145 south to the Ophir turnoff

• Drive through Ophir town and head east onto FR 679

• Climb toward the summit—be cautious on narrow shelf roads

From US-550 (Million Dollar Hwy):

• Turn onto FR 679 near Crystal Lake (signed)

• Gradual climb up the pass—less technical