At a Glance
- Summit Elevation: 11,789 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Connects: Silverton to Telluride
- From Ouray: ~25 min to Silverton side
- Season: July – September
- Vehicle: Stock high-clearance 4WD
The Shorter San Juan Pass
Ophir Pass is one of the lower and more accessible of the San Juan high passes — at 11,789 feet it's less demanding than Engineer, Imogene, or Black Bear, making it a good option for first-time San Juan 4WD visitors or for days when a shorter commitment is preferable to a full-day loop. The road connects US 550 near Silverton with Colorado 145 near Telluride.
The pass area is beautiful open tundra with views of the surrounding peaks — less enclosed than the canyon-based passes and more visually expansive in some directions. Mining ruins in the Ophir area add historical interest to the high-country scenery.
Combining Ophir with a Silverton Visit
Many visitors pair an Ophir Pass run with a Silverton lunch stop — drive south from Ouray on US 550 to Silverton, lunch on Blair Street, then climb the Ophir Pass road from the south side, drive through to the Telluride side for views, and return to Silverton and Ouray. The full circuit takes 5–7 hours from The Lumberyard and covers some of the most scenic terrain in the San Juans.