Black Bear Pass

Black Bear Pass is a breathtakingly beautiful mountain pass located in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. It is a rugged and remote location that offers an unforgettable experience of the natural beauty of the area.

The pass was originally used by miners in the late 1800s to transport ore from the mountains down to the town of Telluride. It later became a popular four-wheel-drive trail for adventurous visitors looking for a challenging and scenic drive.

The drive up to Black Bear Pass is not for the faint of heart. The road is narrow and steep, with hairpin turns and steep drop-offs, and off-camber sections that require a steady hand and nerves of steel. However, the reward for making the drive is an incomparable view of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Black Bear Pass reaches a maximum elevation of 12,840 feet at the summit. Along the way, you will be surrounded by stunning alpine vistas, cascading waterfalls, and colorful wildflowers. The road is typically only open from late July to early October due to snow and weather conditions.

As you make your way from the pass the road descends the steep, technical "Steps" which are made up of a series of steep, technical rock steps that require careful tire placement and calm nerves. The steps are one of the most challenging sections of the pass, but also one of the most rewarding, as they offer a stunning view of Ingram Basin

Past Ingram Falls, tight switchbacks lead to the Bridal Veil Falls powerplant and down to the base of the valley.  While navigating the switchbacks please use extreme caution.  Many of the turns (the number depending on your vehicle wheelbase and turn radius) will require a multi-point technique with little margin for error.

The pass ends in the historic town of Telluride, a former mining town that has been transformed into a world-class ski resort and summer destination.  It's a great place to grab a drink or meal after the trail, do some shopping, or even take a gondola ride up to the ski village.

As with any trail, research and planning are key.  Make sure that both you and your rig are up for the challenge and you'll be good to go.  We've run Black Bear safely with our family without issue and wouldn't trade the experience.

Youtuber Jason Koertge has a great video on his experience at Black Bear Pass in his 5th gen 4Runner.  It's definitely worth a watch if you're planning to head that way.