One of the easier trails in the San Juans and one of several that link Ouray and Telluride. Some of this trail is passable in a passenger vehicle, but becomes difficult in the steep sections. It also becomes more difficult when wet. After turning onto Hwy 62 at Ridgway, drive 10 miles to the sign for Last Dollar Road on your left and continue 6 miles to the trail fork. Take the right fork to the town of Sawpit on Hwy 145 or the left fork, along Hastings Mesa to join Hwy 145 just past the Telluride Airport.

Last Dollar Road was originally an early supply route from Ouray to Telluride. This extremely easy road traverses through picturesque ranches, passes through beautiful aspen forests, and provides scenic views of the San Miguel canyon as you wind your way to Telluride. The drive is especially beautiful in the fall with its amber colored aspen stands.

Peak Altitude 10,676 ft

Drive Time: 13 Miles, 30 minutes

This trail starts at the top of Red Mountain Pass turning east of Hwy 550 just beyond the Red Mountain Pass sign. This trail leads you past the St. Paul Lodge and along a winding ledge on the west side of the mountains. you will pass areas with mining remnants, including the Brooklyn Mine site. This is not an all-day drive. It joins Hwy 550 just north of the turnoff to Ophir Pass, 18 miles south of Ouray.

Peak Altitude | 12,139 ft

6 Miles | 40 Minutes

The trail up Brown Mountain splits off from the Corkscrew Gulch trail. This trail is not difficult but is steep in some places. You'll encounter many abandoned mine sites along the way. The basin, high on the side of Brown Mountain, is a fun, short trip with incredible views of Ironton Park, the Hayden Range, and the Red Mountain area.

Peak Altitude | 13,339 ft

Drive Time: 2 Hours

Following the directions to Yankee Boy Basin, from just above the Sneffels town site, follow the old wagon road branching left passing the Ruby Trust Mine. The trail climbs easily up the east side of the basin through pine forests, and begins a series of switchbacks. There are several steep, narrow rocky sections that should only be attempted by an experienced four-wheeler. Take the left fork to Sydney Basin and the remains of the famous Virginius Mine. The trail straight ahead leads you to the Mountain Top Mine. Above this area are the impressive spires of the St. Sophia Ridge.

Peak Altitude | 11,990 ft

Drive Time: 2 1/2 Hours

Ophir Pass connects Hwy 145 outside Telluride to Hwy 550 between Silverton and Ouray. Drive through Ophir and pass the old Ophir townsite. The last leg of the pass is a shelf road cut into a talus slope, making this a class 2 route. The east side of the pass descends into the Middle Fork Canyon running out of Crystal Lake.

One of our easier, but very popular mountain passes, Ophir takes you to the Telluride side of the San Juan Range. This one is spectacular during the fall season. Drive south of Ouray on Highway 550 for 18.1 miles to the “National Forest Access Ophir Pass” turnoff on your right. The pass road will eventually link up to Highway 145 in the small town of Ophir. Turn right to continue to Telluride and Ridgway.

Peak Altitude | 11,789 ft

Gain from Ouray | 4,082 ft

Gain from Telluride | 3,044 ft

Drive Time: 2 Hours

Description goes hereFrom Silverton take 550 east and bear right on the only diagonal, paved road. Turn right after 5 miles on CR 4 marked with a sign to Stony Pass. Follow this road 1.75 miles to the trailhead, the left fork of the "y" in the road at that point.

Peak Altitude | 12,592 ft

20 Miles round trip | 2 Hours

The western slope of this pass is treacherous, making it a class 3. Start at the Engineer Mountain Trail turn-off 4 miles south of Ouray on Hwy 550. The road climbs seven miles through a canyon to a plateau below the summit of Engineer Mountain. A southern fork takes you toward Animas Forks, and a sharp east turn leads uphill to Cinnamon Road. The pass is three miles farther.

Peak Altitude | 12,840 ft

Gain from Ouray | 4,813 ft

Gain from Telluride | 3,775 ft

Drive Time: 2 Hours

This popular moderate drive branches east off Hwy 550 in Ironton Park, eight miles south of Ouray. Corkscrew is especially beautiful in the fall when you can overlook the spectacular stands of aspen in the Ironton valley. Don’t forget to look down, too – Corkscrew Gulch is a local’s favorite for mushroom hunting. The road climbs numerous switchbacks (the last few are steep and narrow) to the red soil summit at 12,000 feet. This soil is the same kind you see on the famous Red Mountains to the south. If you continue north to Hurricane Pass, your view of Lake Como is worth the trip, and a side trip to one of the many ghost towns in the area is a must.

Peak Altitude | 12,220 ft

Gain from Ouray | 4,513 ft

Gain from Telluride | 3,475 ft

Drive Time: 2 Hours

Although this is not as technically difficult as Black Bear, it does demand more skill than other trails. Choose from two different trail heads to get to Engineer Pass from Ouray. The first choice is about 4 miles south of Ouray on Hwy 550. Look for the trail entrance on your left, marked by a cascading waterfall and a staging area. This road involves 2 miles of extremely rocky areas that are hard on many vehicles. Novices should proceed with caution. The second, smoother, option follows the trails to Corkscrew and California Gulches. In Animas Forks, pick up the Engineer Pass trailhead to the left. Engineer Pass continues on for all routes until the turnoff for Poughkeepsie Gulch where you will continue left. Poughkeepsie Gulch is an extremely dangerous trail and not recommended. Most local outfitters prohibit this pass in their rental contract. Several miles past the Poughkeepsie Gulch turnoff the road forks. Left continues to climb up to Engineer Pass at 12, 850 feet. From here you can turn around and return or continue to Lake City. Right goes to Animas Forks.

Peak Altitude | 12,980 ft

Gain from Ouray | 5,273 ft

Gain from Telluride | 4,235 ft

Drive Time: 4 Hours

Driving Yankee Boy Basin in Ouray, Colorado is a scenic adventure that takes you deep into the rugged beauty of the San Juan Mountains. The off-road trail offers breathtaking views of towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant wildflowers in the warmer months. As you ascend the rocky, winding path, you'll pass through historic mining areas and reach the high-altitude basin, a favorite spot for hiking and photography. While the drive is suitable for high-clearance, 4WD vehicles, the reward of stunning alpine scenery makes it an unforgettable journey into the heart of Colorado's wilderness.

Peak Altitude | 12,400 ft

Gain from Ouray | 4,693 ft

Gain from Telluride | 3,655 ft

Drive Time: 1 1/2 Hours

One of the more difficult drives between Ouray and Telluride. Follow the Yankee Boy Basin description up Camp Bird Road 5 miles. The road turns left over Canyon Creek, climbing along cliffs and looking down over Camp Bird Mine. The ascent to Imogene Basin boasts spectacular wildflower displays over the mid-summer months. The views from Imogene Pass, at 13,144 ft., are impressive. The descent into the Tomboy Mine area and Telluride is more gradual.

Peak Altitude | 13,114 ft

Gain from Ouray | 5,273 ft

Gain from Telluride | 4,235 ft

Drive Time: 4 Hours

This is not for the inexperienced. Leave Ouray south on Hwy 550 and drive 13 miles past the summit of Red Mountain. Turn right onto the marked trail. Black Bear is a two-way trail from 550 to the summit, but becomes ONE-WAY ONLY from the summit to Telluride. The ascent is easy, with spectacular views. At the top you may turn around and come back the way you came. If you continue, go down the infamous "steps," sharp switchbacks. The road is extremely narrow. Short wheel base vehicles are preferred.

Peak Altitude | 12,840 ft

Gain from Ouray | 5,133 ft

Gain from Telluride | 4,095 ft

Drive Time: 4 Hours