A great trip to the top of Ophir Pass in CO

Ophir Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.593m (11,789ft) above the sea level, located in San Miguel County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. 

How long is Ophir Pass?

Set high in the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado, the road to the summit is called Forest Road #630 (Ophir Pass Road). It is 16.09km (10 miles) long running west-east from the CO-145 Road towards the challenging US-550 (Million Dollar Highway) north of Silverton, via the historic mining town of Ophir. It takes about one hour to complete. The drive offers alpine views of the upper Ophir Valley and neighboring peaks.

Is Ophir Pass open?

This road is accessible from June until November, but it can be closed anytime when the access is not cleared of snow. When the road is plowed open in June it is not unusual to find walls of snow up to 20 feet high at the summit. The road offers alpine views of the upper Ophir Valley and neighboring peaks and it’s often driven in combination with either the Black Bear Pass Road or the Tomboy-Imogene (Imogene Pass) roads to form a long loop drive/ride. Snow can be present year-round, and afternoon storms are common, so prepare accordingly.

Is Ophir Pass dangerous?

It is mostly a wide graded road with a few narrow spots and occasional rough spots. Four-wheel drive isn’t required, but it is a good idea to have a vehicle with reasonable clearance. Road condition has worsened from prior years. It is rated as moderate difficulty due to a narrow one-half mile section (on the Ophir side of the Pass) where it is difficult for two vehicles to pass each other. (Uphill traffic should yield to downhill traffic on this section). The road is open to all motorized vehicles, however, recommended for high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicles. Unlicensed OHV's are prohibited within the Town of Ophir and on Forest Road #630 from Ophir west to State Highway 145.