Truth Be Told: Ophir Pass, CO - General/Recommend

So if you haven’t ready my “Silverton, CO” post yet, I suggest you start off with that one first before you go reading this one. This post was inspired as a spin off practically, after writing that other blog post. You’ll understand better once you read that other post…

Meanwhile back to what I’m trying to say-this particular route through the mountains is a faster method to get from Silverton to Telluride Mountain Village. When I mean faster I really do mean faster by the way-see the actual highway takes (if I remember correctly, since its been a while and I’ve slept since!)-about an additional two to three hours more, granted it a beautiful scenic drive BUT if you don’t get squeamish to heights and some serious “country road” style pathways, then you’ll want to take this route every time you want to enter into Silverton from the Telluride side (and and of those little cities in between).

The route itself is some serious elevation course and you better know how to handle your vehicle as well as narrow roadways-if this isn’t your niche or if you aren’t a confidant person or you get timid/scared easily-I DO NOT recommend this roadway adventure for you! You go up a steep slope driving away from Silverton and onto this path, it's not paved and it’s not even a dirt road, purely mountain rock AND mountain boulders in your sights the entire time. The path is so narrow in some area that you better keep an eye of for oncoming traffic and find that little patch of wide path to allow for both vehicles to pass each other, otherwise you’re going to have a nice tumble down the slope just just a few cars below did before you-and yes they are still down there with the battle scars of a good tumble down! Honestly, though slightly dangerous for beginner trailhead drivers, it truly is a spectacular drive and one breathtaking view no matter the direction you start in (meaning going towards Silverton in this path or driving away from Silverton).