Telluride Jeeping
Bridal Veil Falls
Moderate - These stunning waterfalls, over 300 feet in length, entice
many people to hike, bike, or four wheel drive up the road. From Pandora
Mill to Bridal Veil waterfalls and the power plant, it's 1.8 miles and a
1,200 foot elevation gain. Directions: Go east through town on Colorado
Avenue toward the mountain, pass the old Pandora Mine on your left, and
follow the road marked County Road. Continue on this dirt road and go up
the switchbacks for 1.2 miles to the bottom of falls, or go the extra .6
miles to the top of the falls. You don't have to stop here, though.
Beyond the privately owned historic power plant, the awesome Bridal Veil
Basin, Blue Lake, and Silver Lake await you.
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Tomboy Road, Town of Tomboy, Imogene Pass & Ouray
Moderate to Difficult - Be prepared for the rugged five-mile road to the fascinating town of Tomboy (2,650 foot elevation gain). It's 7 miles to Imogene Pass (at 13,114 feet, it's a 4,350 elevation gain) and 18 miles total to Ouray. Start in town at the north end of Oak Street and turn right on the dirt road (Tomboy Road). Continue past waterfalls and through a tunnel to arrive at the mining camp of Tomboy. The road continuing on to the pass is a steep grade with loose rock and, after that, a steeper downhill ride to Ouray. You can take a side trip by making a left turn (marked) and explore the raw beauty of Yankee Boy Basin; continuing toward Ouray, you'll pass by Camp Bird, historically one of the richest mines in the country. If you are going straight to Ouray, expect this trip to take at least two hours but, if you want to explore, expect to spend a good part of the day.
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Alta Lakes
Easy to Moderate - The 1870s mining town of Alta is on the National
Register of Historic Places and Alta Lakes are picture postcard
beautiful. It is 5 miles one way with a 1,700-foot elevation gain.
Directions: go six miles south of Telluride on Hwy. 145 (toward Cortez)
to Alta Lakes Road. To reach the ghost town of Alta, stay on the main
road for 4 miles. To get to the lakes, turn right at the town and follow
the signs to Alta Lakes. High clearance vehicles are recommended.
Black Bear Pass
Difficult - This is for experienced drivers only. Black Bear Pass is a
one way jeep ride from Red Mountain Pass, and extreme caution must be
taken coming down the switchbacks to Telluride. It is 3.6 miles one way
from Red Mountain Pass to Bridal Veil intersection, a 2,520-foot
elevation loss. Access: the one-way road begins off Red Mountain Pass,
climbs gradually, then makes a breathtaking plunge into Telluride
alongside the 125-foot Ingram Falls, and past Bridal Veil Falls.
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Ilium Road - Ames Historic Site
Easy - Ames is the site of the country's first alternating current power
plant built by George Westinghouse, L.L. Nunn, and Nikola Tesla. To get
there, bike or drive five miles west on Hwy, 145 from Telluride, then
turn at the "Ilium Road" turnoff that parallels the San Miguel River
(south fork) to the historic Ames power plant. It is 6 miles one way
with a 1,250-foot elevation gain.
Last Dollar
Moderate - A great drive with terrific views everywhere you look, this
47.3-mile loop has a 4,370 foot elevation gain. Access: 3 miles west of
town on Hwy. 145, turn right on the airport road and follow it for 2
miles to the dirt road that forks north just before the airport.
Continue for 1.5 miles, then turn left on Deep Creek Rd. and ride down 2
miles to the highway. Ride east toward town, turn right on South Fork
Rd., then turn left on the Galloping Goose Trail and ride up to the bike
path back to town. A longer loop for 4WD vehicles or bikers is available
by following Last Dollar Road, then descending to Sawpit and Hwy. 145
via Rd. 58P. Another option is to continue north to Hwy.145 where an
inspiring panorama of mountain peaks awaits you at Dallas Divide on the
way to Ridgway, Ouray, or Montrose.
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Ophir Pass
Moderate - If Imogene Pass just whets your appetite for more four-wheel
excitement, try spectacular Ophir Pass. It's six miles one way from Hwy.
145 to top of the pass with a 2,480-foot elevation gain. From Telluride,
drive south on Hwy. 145 for 8 miles. Turn left onto a dirt road (watch
for "post office" sign) and proceed through "old" Ophir to the pass
road. Ophir Pass climbs above timberline over a scree field to the
12,789-foot summit. Return via the same route, or continue down to Red
Mountain Pass and make a long loop back to town via Ouray. 4WD required.
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