Black Bear Pass Trail
The last five Labor day weekends we have headed out to the San Juan mountains and one of our favorite trails has been Black Bear Pass. We normally camp around Ouray either at the end of Imogene pass or at the Amphitheater campground just north of Ouray on 550 (The Million Dollar Hyway). Black Bear is immediately past the summit of Red Mountain pass on the right side of the Million Dollar Hyway.
The trail starts with a immediate climb and winds its way to a ridge.
Once over the ridge the trail starts getting harder. As you wind through the area you start to get a number of small switch backs that you can use as practice for what is coming up.
The View of Telluride appears in front of you and you begin to see what is ahead.
When you come around a corner you see the steps. The steps are a narrow shelf that have a number of three foot cliffs.
At the bottom of the steps the switch backs begin. The switch backs are extremely sharp and even with a short wheelbase you will have to back up to get around some of the turns. You quickly descend and pass a waterfall.
At the power station the road becomes two way and you can casually drive down to the town of Telluride.
Don't forget to look back at what you just came down.
CUOFFRD
Mark n Sherri
On The Rocks Jeep Club
