black bear pass difficulty

DVD will include the full-length video fro the Summit to the Power Station, plus a slideshow of images. Black Bear Pass The Black Bear Pass Jeep trail is known as one of the scariest and most difficult 4WD passes in Colorado. This is Bridal Veil Falls. there are four very tight switchbacks that require a 3-point turn or at least one “back up” in order to make the hairpin turns. The views of the San Juan Mountains at the summit are amazing! The road is located 0.2 miles to the south of the sign marking the summit. Just above Telluride, near the beginning of Ingram Falls, there is a sign that declares the road is one-way from that point forward. Heading down the summit it’s still a 2-way road for a while. We had just put a 2" lift and 33" tires on the 4Runner a week before. Larger vehicles, even standard Jeep Wranglers, often get off-camber in this spot and one or more wheels will leave the ground. It is 365 feet high. In 2004 an entire family of four went over the side, killing the parents. “Black Bear is no more dangerous than any other trail in Colorado or anywhere else. This is high clearance, short wheel base vehicles only- and I suggest going with someone who is skilled as a spotter. It is possible to die on this trail, but that is true for most of the trails in the Rocky Mountains. It is impressive, to say the least, however, any lapse of attention or judgment on any trail can result in a roll over which may lead to injury or worse. As you can see, most of the road is simple and not technical. This picture really flattened things out. The children and their dog survived. Unfortunately there is usually once accident per year on … Black Bear Pass Trail is a 8.5 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Telluride, Colorado that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. This was actually very narrow and the slope to the passenger side is very steep. If you would be interested in purchasing a DVD of this trail, please comment in the comment section below. One long-time area Jeeper, Dave Shannon, said that Black Bear Pass was his first trail in Colorado and that he’s been over it many times. Meet Rio ». The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from July until October. Loose shale covers the rocks and it becomes very rocky and slippery. There is a high shelf road that is very narrow. That being said the switchback descending into Telluride could be fatal. The way up is fairly easy and a beautiful view. This sign used to be at the beginning of Black Bear Road. After “The Steps” you have the infamous switchbacks to conquer. Offroad Day Trips for Ouray and Silverton. I’ve only driven the road to that point and then turned around (didn’t have good enough tread on my tires). Location: San Juan Mountains At 365-feet in length, it cascades down into Tellruide. This picture is very misleading. Difficulty: Difficult If you are interested, please comment below and when the DVD is complete, I will contact each person. 12 miles. You have to be careful and use common sense wherever you are. Difficulty Ratings Use GPX Interactive map Tutorial Black Bear Pass 3.0. When you start the final descent into Telluride, it turns into a one-way trail, so once you pass that point of no return, it’s do or die time! This trail is ONE WAY and the beginning is located near the summit of Red Mountain Pass (highway 550). 550 The pass begins near Red Mountain Pass (U.S. Highway 550) north of Silverton and makes its way to Telluride. The entire width of the trail is covered in large slabs of rock with 12-to-18-inch drop off in places. Quickly, after passing the Point of No Return sign, you begin down “The Steps.” No video or photos can really do justice to this part of the trail. I get a lot of questions about which trails to take when exploring the San Juan Mountains around Ouray and Silverton. With Ingram Falls roaring down the mountain on your left, you begin to traverse a relatively steep portion of the trail. This is taken from the Imogene Pass road. This is Bridal Veil Falls and power plant. It quickly turns into a one way and there is a point of no return- so once you are on it you are committed. Time: Approximately 2-3 hours, one-way. Telluride is thousands of feet below and it is a steep hill. I edited the video for length that you see here but do have a full-length version from Start to Finish. We strapped the camera mount onto the front of the ATV and had great success! I’d love to do it in a Jeep Rubicon to really experience it again. 550 Time: Approximately 2-3 hours, one-way. This shows the switchbacks nicely. Photos and video can’t show how treacherous this road can be. It has a reputation for killing people. Trail Description. At the end of “The Steps” the trail banks hard to the right (Adios Curve) and if you are not in control of your vehicle when it banks, you will tumble 1000 feet down. Black Bear Pass is one of the best known Jeep trails in the State. Coordinates are 37.896734, -107.713392. Once you are on the dirt road, it is well marked and there at any intersection directing you to Black Bear Pass. Many side roads will take you to old mine ruins and alpine lakes. The infamous Black Bear Pass is one of the most difficult mountain passes in Colorado. Black Bear Road was a blast to finally experience. Difficulty: Difficult Directions: 13 miles outside Ouray on Hwy. The road is to the west. We made them easily in the ATVs but the last one, especially, was very tight. I definitely purchased a “I survived Black Bear Road” t-shirt and will wear it proudly. This is where you need to turn around if you don’t feel comfortable starting down the most difficult part of the trail. Mill Creek and Nipple Mountain (Rating 1-3). This picture is taken near the small waterfall at the top left of the next picture. One of, if not the most famous trail of all-time Black Bear Pass is the icon of Colorado. Even with ATVs and a very short wheel base, it was intense. I seldom leave home for an offroading adventure without a backpack full of books on the region I'm visiting (and it's usu... How interested would you be in purchasing DVDs of my offroading adventures if they were longer and more detailed than the ones on You Tube? Since it ends in Telluride, where we now live, we have always wanted to do it. The infamous Black Bear Pass is one of the most difficult mountain passes in Colorado. The descent is intense- the switchbacks, sheer drop offs and … Black Bear Pass Trail. I can’t imagine being in a Jeep and hanging off the edge on that one! Directions: 13 miles outside Ouray on Hwy. Black Bear Pass is an amazing adventure and not for the faint of heart. When you start the final descent into Telluride, it turns into a one-way trail, so once you pass that point of no return, it’s do or die time! The scenery and views from this trail are incredible and this trail is a must-do on your bucket list. UPDATE: On July 19, 2010, I finally made it down Black Bear Road, thanks to my friends, the Boyers, who drove their ATVs and let me hang on for dear life on back. The trail begins at the summit of Red Mountain Pass and is actually a nice and easy trail to the summit of Black Bear Pass. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Although it is now a private residence, it still provides 25% of Telluride’s electricity! The road is not too bad, narrow in places, rocky in places and slippery. Unexperienced drivers or incapable vehicles have fallen off the 900ft cliff and have not survived. 12 miles. Once you clear the four switchbacks, you are at The Power Station, which used to power the Smuggler-Union Mine. Below the Power Station is the longest waterfall in the state of Colorado, Bridal Veil Falls. Rio is my blue merle Australian Shepherd and he joins me on all my adventures. Every day has been cloudy and rainy, but we decided to go anyway since Black Bear Pass …