Imogene and Ophir Passes etc...

[100Acre]

Come September, I'm thinking I'd like to venture over to those passes and check them out along with any other interesting sights and trails. Has anyone here done them and can you recommend staging areas, campsites etc? Anyone wanna come along?

 

[Admin]

 

[100Acre]

I'd also like to see the crystal mill?

 

[Killer223]

what side of the mountain are you going to be on? good staging on the bottom of each on the eastern side. both are easy in a sxs. ophir is doable ina full size truck, the others are doable but it's not advisable.
if youre able to, do these in the middle of the week. not an over crowded weekend.
look into some of the mines. some very cool ones are along the way and not far from where you'll be.
when you cross over ophir, if you are street legal, head toward teluride, and take a right to Alta Lakes. it's worth it. plan on lunch there and a pole for some fishing. lost of room on the camera.

 

[100Acre]

Not sure which side just yet. Contemplating Black Bear but not sure. I still have a mild fear of heights. This is a good video

 

[CID]

One problem with Black Bear, it's a one way road with Telluride at the bottom. The problem - SxSs aren't plateable here and they aren't allowed on the streets in Telluride, it's too upscale for our blue collar, rednek butts. You'd have to arrange for a pickup there.

Silverton, on the other hand, welcomes us and we're allowed on a few county roads, including riding into Silverton for gas and grub. Note that I've never been there with my Talon, it's my first year with a SxS.

 

[JimmyA]

I have watched many videos of the Colorado Passes and would really like to do most of them! Maybe some day.

 

[DG Rider]

 

[100Acre]

One problem with Black Bear, it's a one way road with Telluride at the bottom. The problem - SxSs aren't plateable here and they aren't allowed on the streets in Telluride, it's too upscale for our blue collar, rednek butts. You'd have to arrange for a pickup there.

Silverton, on the other hand, welcomes us and we're allowed on a few county roads, including riding into Silverton for gas and grub. Note that I've never been there with my Talon, it's my first year with a SxS.

I was there in Silverton last year with the September group ride. I've never been to Black Bear Pass.

 

[100Acre]

@Koda @Remington and I were there last year

 

[Remington]

@Koda @Remington and I were there last year

Great fun indeed it was!

 

[CID]

I was there last year with the September group ride

Is this a part of that ride again or at a different time?

 

[100Acre]

Is this a part of that ride again or at a different time?

I was there in Silverton last year with the September group ride. I've never been to Black Bear Pass.

 

[DG Rider]

I was there in Silverton last year with the September group ride. I've never been to Black Bear Pass.

So...it's my understanding that SxS/ATVs must arrange transportation from the end, since they aren't street legal and the scary section is one way only?

 

[CID]

So...it's my understanding that SxS/ATVs must arrange transportation from the end, since they aren't street legal and the scary section is one way only?

That's correct, Black Bear is one way down into Telluride and SxS/ATVs aren't allowed on the street there. I'm not sure about how much room there is for parking/loading at the Telluride end. That might be visible in Google Earth.

 

[mikeco]

No ATVs allowed on the streets in Ophir either; at least last time I was there.

 

[ItsNotAJeep]

I’ve done Imogene in a full size truck and our Pioneer. The trip in the SXS was nothing but fun! We parked at the staging area in Ouray and were at the pass faster than believable, with 3 people, 3 dogs, and a cooler full of beer. I would highly suggest it to anyone thinking about it even though CO is lame with their OHV laws.

 

[100Acre]

Very helpful y'all. Thanks for the tips.

 

[ItsNotAJeep]

Very helpful y'all. Thanks for the tips.

There just isn't a bad place to take pictures up there but if you're lucky you'll be up there when it's clear and not cloudy!

 

[100Acre]

 

[JKKJ]

Looks like me and my gal are gonna be out there the last week of September! Hoping to do 2-3 days of riding to these passes. Anyone know of any side trails or hikes worth making?

100acre, of you’re out there during that time let me know.