Kennebec Pass
Take 160W, 11 miles to Hesperus. Turn right onto La Plata Canyon Road. It's 16 miles from there to the top of the pass; the last 5 miles require 4-wheel drive. It's a moderately difficult route beginning at 8,600ft, and terminates at 11,880 ft. This drive offers scenic views of the La Plata Mountains and various waterfalls. You'll also see remnants of old mining towns along the way.

Bolam Pass/Hermosa Park Road
Travel north out of Durango on Highway 550 for about 28 miles. Your turn is just after Durango Mountain Resort. Turn left at the Forest Service sign labeled "Hermosa Park Rd." This road takes you behind the ski resort and onto Sig Creek Campground. Continue west on this road, which follows Hermosa Creek and eventually ends near the town of Rico.

Lime Creek Road
Travel north out of Durango on Highway 550 for about 27 miles. Lime Creek Road will be on your right after you pass Cascade Village. This route offers great views of Lime Creek and the surrounding San Juan Mountains.

Miller Mountain
Take Florida Rd. (County Rd. 240) northeast out of Durango for approximately 16 miles to Lemon Reservoir. You can access Miller Mountain by continuing north on the dirt road above the reservoir.

Near Silverton

Ophir Pass
Take 550N out of Silverton for 4.5 miles. Turn left onto Ophir Pass Road (FS679). This is the easiest pass connecting Silverton and Telluride. This route was a toll road built by Otto Mears in 1881. It offers great views of Mt. Wilson, Wilson Peak, El Diente Peak and Ophir Valley.
(Difficulty: Easy-Medium)

Stony Pass
Travel northeast out of Silverton on Colorado 110 to Howardsville. Turn right at Howardsville and up Cunningham Gulch. Drive about 2 miles and look for Stony Pass Rd. on the left. The summit of the pass is in another 3 miles. This road was built as a supply route between Silverton and the San Luis Valley. The route passes the headwaters of the Rio Grande, crosses the Continental Divide, and offers spectacular views of the San Juan Mountains. (Difficulty: Easy-Hard)

Cunningham Gulch
Travel northeast out of Silverton on Colorado 110 for about 10 miles. This road offers access to Cunningham Gulch, Minnie Gulch, Maggie Gulch; the sites of old mining operations.
(Difficulty: Easy)

The Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway
(Engineer & Cinnamon Passes)
From Silverton, head east on Colorado 110 for 12.4 miles to Animas Forks ghost town. From here you can take either Engineer or Cinnamon Pass. The loop connects Silverton with Ouray and Lake City. This route offers many historic sites including Animas Forks, Mineral Point, Rose's Cabin and Sherman.
Distance from Silverton to Lake City via Cinnamon Pass: 44 miles
Distance from Silverton to Lake City via Engineer Pass: 37 miles
(Difficulty: Easy-Medium)

Near Ouray

Imogene Pass
Turn onto Camp Bird Rd. (County Rd. 361) just south of Ouray. You will pass the Camp Bird Mine on the left. The road forks in less then 2 miles. Turn left for Imogene Pass. This route connects Ouray and Telluride. It passes historic sites such as the abandoned Tomboy Mine and Fort Peabody, a former guard station during the labor-management conflicts at the turn of the century.
(Difficulty: Easy-Medium)

Yankee Boy Basin/Governor Basin
Turn onto Camp Bird Rd. (County Rd. 361), just south of Ouray. You will pass the Camp Bird Mine on the left. The road forks in less then 2 miles. Stay to the right and proceed past Sneffels, an old town site. Another fork will appear. Go left here for Governor Basin. Stay on the main road for Yankee Boy Basin.

Black Bear Pass
NOTE: This pass is extremely difficult; it is only recommended for very experienced four-wheelers. Take 550N out of Silverton. At the summit of Red Mountain Pass (just south of Ouray), turn left (west) onto Black Bear Road. This is a one-way route that ends near Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride.

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