--- title: "San Juan Mountains EV Trip Pack — EV Backroads" description: "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." canonical_url: "https://www.evbackroads.com/adventures/san-juan-high-pass-progression" last_updated: "2026-08-09" --- ![U.S. Basin in Colorado](/media/adventures/regions/heroes/us-basin.webp) ![San Juan Mountains route collection](/media/map/adventure-regions/san-juans.svg) 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. QUICK READ Route stages 8 Plan length 6–10 days High point 13,216 ft Typical season Check each route Base area 37.8867, -107.7063 Save trip pack offline Print trip plan Mark plan ready SAN JUANS COLLECTION 8 stages, in order - [01 U.S. Basin easy](#stage-1) - [02 Ophir Pass moderate](#stage-2) - [03 Corkscrew Pass moderate](#stage-3) - [04 Stony Pass moderate](#stage-4) - [05 Cinnamon Pass moderate](#stage-5) - [06 Engineer Pass Road difficult](#stage-6) - [07 Imogene Pass difficult](#stage-7) - [08 Black Bear Pass expert](#stage-8) 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. WHAT CAN CHANGE THE ANSWER Snow, runoff, thunderstorms, closures, and rockfall can change a route by the hour. An open pass is not automatically suitable for your vehicle. 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. 01 easy ### 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. SKILL ADDED Add high-country conditions on an approachable route. Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=37.88673&lng=-107.70629&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/colorado/trails/434-us-basin) ![Topographic route map for U.S. Basin](/media/adventures/regions/maps/us-basin.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS 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 in Colorado](/media/photos-ai/27-ophir-pass.webp?v=20260808) ROUTE VIEW · AI-ASSISTED EV PLACEHOLDER WHERE NOTED 02 moderate ### 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. SKILL ADDED Add exposure and higher altitude on a concise crossing. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=37.85383&lng=-107.79748&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/colorado/trails/404-ophir-pass)[Open onX Offroad](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/colorado/ophir-pass-alta-lakes) ![Topographic route map for Ophir Pass](/media/maps/27-ophir-pass.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS 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. 03 moderate ### 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. SKILL ADDED Add repeated switchbacks and a longer descent. Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=37.91480&lng=-107.67029&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/colorado/trails/267-corkscrew-pass) ![Topographic route map for Corkscrew Pass](/media/adventures/regions/maps/corkscrew-pass.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS 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. 04 moderate ### 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. SKILL ADDED Add distance and a more remote high-country day. Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=37.76289&lng=-107.40241&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/colorado/trails/467-stony-pass) ![Topographic route map for Stony Pass](/media/adventures/regions/maps/stony-pass.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS 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 in Colorado](/media/photos-ai/22-cinnamon-pass.webp?v=20260808) ROUTE VIEW · AI-ASSISTED EV PLACEHOLDER WHERE NOTED 05 moderate ### Cinnamon Pass Route distance 25 mi Allow Full day Add a longer high-country drive with weather, mining traffic, and several possible exits. SKILL ADDED Add route duration and sustained travel above timberline. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=37.95145&lng=-107.43092&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/colorado/trails/258-cinnamon-pass) ![Topographic route map for Cinnamon Pass](/media/maps/22-cinnamon-pass.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS 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 in Colorado](/media/photos-ai/04-engineer-pass-road.webp?v=20260808) ROUTE VIEW · AI-ASSISTED EV PLACEHOLDER WHERE NOTED 06 difficult ### 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. SKILL ADDED Combine altitude, rough ground, and a long return. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=37.99215&lng=-107.45665&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/colorado/trails/290-engineer-pass-road) ![Topographic route map for Engineer Pass Road](/media/maps/04-engineer-pass-road.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS 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 in Colorado](/media/photos-ai/06-imogene-pass.webp?v=20260808) ROUTE VIEW · AI-ASSISTED EV PLACEHOLDER WHERE NOTED 07 difficult ### 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. SKILL ADDED Add steeper rock, exposure, and more demanding tire placement. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=37.95170&lng=-107.76718&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/colorado/trails/1408-imogene-pass) ![Topographic route map for Imogene Pass](/media/maps/06-imogene-pass.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS 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 in Colorado](/media/photos-ai/01-black-bear-pass.webp?v=20260808) ROUTE VIEW · AI-ASSISTED EV PLACEHOLDER WHERE NOTED 08 expert ### 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. SKILL ADDED Combine consequence, steep descent control, tight turns, and one-way commitment. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=37.91237&lng=-107.74502&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/colorado/trails/2651-black-bear-pass) ![Topographic route map for Black Bear Pass](/media/maps/01-black-bear-pass.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS 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. 01 ### surface Loose alpine road, shelf sections, rock, and steep descents 02 ### clearance Extra clearance and strong tires; later stages need technical clearance 03 ### remoteness Mountain towns are near, but recovery can be slow and costly 04 ### charging Verify the valley charger before each climb and keep descent alternatives 05 ### cell Coverage Download routes and closure notices before the pass 06 ### weather Avoid thunderstorms, active runoff, snow, and freeze-thaw damage 07 ### 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 ![Topographic route plate for San Juan Mountains: High Pass Progression](/media/adventures/regions/maps/us-basin.webp) FEATURED ROUTE MAP Use the full trail path for orientation. Confirm current access with the land manager. 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. [Build this trip plan](/plan?pack=san-juan-high-pass-progression)[Open near this trail](/map?lat=37.88673&lng=-107.70629&z=9&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/colorado/trails/434-us-basin)[Browse all adventure collections and trip packs](/adventures)[Share what changed after your trip](/guides/trail-commons?kind=trail&sourceAdventure=san-juan-high-pass-progression) ## Sitemap See the full [EV Backroads sitemap](/sitemap.md) for every published page.