Where is Ophir Pass?

Okay, picture this: you're in southwest Colorado, San Juan Mountains to be exact, ready for an adventure. You're about to tackle Ophir Pass, a mountain road that tops out at 11,789 feet. This isn't your average Sunday drive!

Ophir Pass Road, or Forest Road #630 if you're feeling official, stretches for about 10 miles, connecting CO-145 with the legendary Million Dollar Highway (US-550) near Silverton. You'll even cruise through the old mining town of Ophir – talk about a scenic detour!

Keep in mind, this road is usually open from June to November, give or take, depending on the snow. And when they DO finally plow it open in June, expect some serious snow walls at the summit! Afternoon storms are pretty common too, so pack accordingly.

Now, for the fun part: the drive itself. For the most part, it's a graded dirt road, but there are some narrow and rough patches that'll keep you on your toes. There's one particularly tight half-mile section on the Ophir side where passing can get tricky (uphill traffic yields, remember!). Oh, and did I mention the drop-offs? Some folks might find them a little unnerving.

While you *can* technically drive it in any motorized vehicle, a 4x4 with decent clearance is highly recommended. Just a heads up: unlicensed OHVs aren't allowed within Ophir or on the road heading west towards State Highway 145.

Expect the drive to take about an hour, giving you plenty of time to soak in those amazing alpine views of Ophir Valley and the surrounding peaks. Many people combine this route with either the Road or the Tomboy-Imogene Roads for an epic loop. Trust me, it's worth it!