A Trip Over Ophir Pass

Jellystone Park of the Black Canyon
Montrose, CO
July 24, 2014



Heading south on Hwy 550...a view of the San Juans

We didn't waste anytime hitting the trails as we were up early Thursday morning and excited to be exploring new territory...the San Juan Mountains.



Looking back on Ouray as we ascended into the mountains.

We headed south on Hwy 550, first thru Ridgeway and then Lovely Ouray.





Our mouths dropped at the beauty all around us and we hadn't even hit the trail yet...once past Ouray this stretch of highway is called the Million Dollar Highway.

After about 18 miles, we turned right onto C.R. 8.

Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails is a great resource when deciding what trails to do.

Each trail is given a rating based on the hardest section of the trail. Ophir is rated moderate because of a narrow shelf section of trail on the west side of the pass...everything else is really easy to traverse.

I do the navigating...the guide is very simple to follow using waypoints and mileage.

The Ophir pass was originally established as a wagon road between the mines around Ophir and Telluride to Silverton. The trip west is a gradual climb with room for two vehicles to pass.

Views were spectacular as we wound our way thru forested land with streams and wildflowers in the Middle Mineral Creek area until it reaches the tree line and then continues to the rocky summit at 11, 789 feet.

It was almost a dramatic change in scenery once we reached the tree line. And the skies that had been blue off and on all morning were all gray here.

The summit is formed by Lookout Peak on the left and South Lookout Peak on the right. This trail is usually plowed the first of June. Its hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, this was all covered in white. The grass is so green and the patch of purple flowers were quite "showy".

There is room at the summit to park and explore the rocks. I  learned the hard way (last year in Moab) to always wear my hiking boots on these excursions...

Standing at the summit looking west was one of the most spectacular sights I think I have seen. The valley is formed by the Howard Fork of the San Miguel River. Past the valley, the distinctive volcanic peak of Lizard Head and three fourteeners can be seen on a clear day.

The trail down the west has one switchback just past the summit followed by a continuous run down the side of a slope. It is narrow...

looking down on Ophir...

At the foot of Ophir Pass is the town of Old Ophir. Gold was discovered in Ophir in 1875. Population grew quickly to about 500. But word of a silver strike in a nearby town caused miners to vacate. As it turned out, the silver deposits were short lived so miners returned to Ophir. The closest smelters were in Silverton...thus the Ophir Pass.


We did ride thru a crop of aspens and a thick ground cover of Queen Anne's Lace...standing tall among those beautiful trees.

Today Ophir is a community of summer homes. Unlicensed vehicles are not permitted to ride thru the town with its 10 mph speed limit. The streets were full of adults visiting and children playing.

From here the trail leads to Hwy 145. We had planned to also take the short 4.4 mile trail to Alta Lakes. But about the time we got to the highway, the sky let loose and it rained...a torrential down pour. We headed home instead.

Ophir Pass was without a doubt one of the most spectacular rides we have been on. As with most hikes or trails, you just have to be there to get the real picture as photographs just don't seem to show the grandeur....scanning the miles and miles of endless views, the smells of the damp forest, the waves of colors , even the sound of rocks crunching under our feet at the pass...all combined to make for a day full of  true happiness to be alive. 

Thanks for stopping by...until next time, 

   

happy trails!

 

Up next...Yankee Boy Basin

The Adventure Begins!

Jellystone Park of the Black Canyon
Montrose, CO
July 23, 2014

Arkansas River Valley along Hwy 50

 Yesterday morning, we were up early, finished packing and ready to hit the road at 8:30. A quick stop to diesel up and we were on our way. Our planned route took us on Hwy 115 south and Hwy 50 west.


We weren't the only early risers on an adventure this sunny, wonderful Wednesday morning. The Arkansas River was a bustle of activity. There are lots of public use lands along the river to pull over. We picked one for a stretch stop. Dover was one happy pup. I never let her off leash so she practically pulled me into this very cold, fast moving water...we both had wet toes!

Its a very scenic ride and traffic was not bad at all. We moseyed thru Salida, then huffed and puffed our way up Monarch Mountain.

Rocky Mountain Fir

Monarch Mountain is a ski area with abundant natural snow...350 plus inches.

 
Joe says its the hardest climb to date for Belle. He turned on the heater to its highest setting to help "bleed-off" some of the engine's extra heat.

Going down the mountain is always a lot more exciting...

We drove thru Gunnison and the valley...

 

And then along the Blue Mesa Reservoir.

  Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest body of water entirely in Colorado. It is created by Blue Mesa Dam. It is also the largest lake trout and Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States.

 

It was a great travel day!

 

We are all settled in at the Jellystone Park of the Black Canyon just outside of Montrose on Hwy 550...and about 20 miles north of Ouray.

We were so excited this morning we were up at the crack of dawn...nothing like a hot cup of coffee and watching the sun come up.

 

 The Tan Clan is happy...they have a nice grassy fenced in place to play just outside our front door!

Cooper came over for a romp in the grass with Dover!



A good flossing after breakfast!

Let the fun begin...look out San Juan Mountains. Here we come!

Until next time...

happy trails!

 

Up next, Ophir Pass...so stay tuned!