ADVENTURE ROUTE COLLECTION · COLORADO
San Juan Mountains: High Pass Progression
Choose from eight routes near Silverton, Ouray, and Telluride. Start on a short alpine road. Add high passes, shelf roads, and an expert descent later.
WHY IT FITS
Why this progression can fit your trip.
The routes share one mountain region. Each stage adds altitude, exposure, rough ground, or a longer day without resetting the progression.
ROUTE PROGRESSION
Add one skill at a time.
Drive only the stages that fit your vehicle, experience, weather, and current access. A later stage is not a required finish.
U.S. Basin
- Route distance
- 9.3 mi
- Allow
- 2–3 hours
Start with a short alpine road. Use it to check altitude, weather, and braking before a full pass.
Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel.
TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE
U.S. Basin, from start to finish
- Climb
- +1,984 ft
- Descent
- −2,055 ft
Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.
Ophir Pass
- Route distance
- 10 mi
- Allow
- Half day
Add a high shelf road and loose talus. Give uphill traffic room and use established pullouts.
TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE
Ophir Pass, from start to finish
- Climb
- +2,652 ft
- Descent
- −1,779 ft
Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.
Corkscrew Pass
- Route distance
- 4.8 mi
- Allow
- Half day
Add tighter turns and changing surface color above the valley. Keep room for uphill traffic and weather exits.
Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel.
TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE
Corkscrew Pass, from start to finish
- Climb
- +2,528 ft
- Descent
- −720 ft
Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.
Stony Pass
- Route distance
- 36.5 mi
- Allow
- Full day
Add a longer pass with water crossings and fewer services. Confirm the exit and the return-energy limit before you start.
Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel.
TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE
Stony Pass, from start to finish
- Climb
- +2,966 ft
- Descent
- −4,118 ft
Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.
Cinnamon Pass
- Route distance
- 25 mi
- Allow
- Full day
Add a longer high-country drive with weather, mining traffic, and several possible exits.
TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE
Cinnamon Pass, from start to finish
- Climb
- +3,728 ft
- Descent
- −1,436 ft
Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.
Engineer Pass Road
- Route distance
- 21 mi
- Allow
- Full day
Add rougher alpine ground and a higher summit. Keep enough time for a slow descent.
TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE
Engineer Pass Road, from start to finish
- Climb
- +755 ft
- Descent
- −4,225 ft
Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.
Imogene Pass
- Route distance
- 12.1 mi
- Allow
- Full day
Use Imogene only after the earlier passes feel controlled. Walk uncertain ledges and protect the downhill reserve.
TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE
Imogene Pass, from start to finish
- Climb
- +4,598 ft
- Descent
- −2,935 ft
Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.
Black Bear Pass
- Route distance
- 9.8 mi
- Allow
- Half day
This one-way descent is an expert stage. Use it only with a suitable vehicle, current local knowledge, and no pressure to continue.
TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE
Black Bear Pass, from start to finish
- Climb
- +1,779 ft
- Descent
- −3,781 ft
Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.
ROUTE READINESS
Do seven checks before you leave pavement.
surface
Loose alpine road, shelf sections, rock, and steep descents
clearance
Extra clearance and strong tires; later stages need technical clearance
remoteness
Mountain towns are near, but recovery can be slow and costly
charging
Verify the valley charger before each climb and keep descent alternatives
cell Coverage
Download routes and closure notices before the pass
weather
Avoid thunderstorms, active runoff, snow, and freeze-thaw damage
turnaround
Turn around before the next section removes a safe reverse or exit
BEFORE YOU GO
Make these decisions while you have a signal.
- Check the current pass report for every route
- Acclimate before the highest stages
- Set a firm weather and battery limit
TURN AROUND WHEN
Follow the limits that you set.
- Water or loose rock is moving across the road
- Wheelspin is needed to continue
- Cloud or fatigue removes the safe margin
CARRY
Prepare for common problems.
- Tire repair and recovery equipment
- Warm layers, food, and water
- Offline maps and satellite communication
OPEN THE LIVE MAP
Check the drive home.
See the route with open chargers and road-distance charging gaps. Planned stations do not change current coverage.