Is there a road between Telluride and US 550 (Million Dollar Hwy.)

[Festival Fred]

Is there a road that we can drive into Telluride from the Silverton/Ouray general area in June off of US 550.

[TellurideTom]

If you don't have a short wheelbase 4-wheel drive I wouldn't attempt it.

Five Roads from Ouray to Telluride

 

[Festival Fred]

Thanks! I was hoping we could do it with 2 wheel drive SUV but might try to rent 4 wheel jeep.

[ToddG]

You can probably do Last Dollar Divide without 4wd. Not going to be as majestic as some of the others, but will get you off the beaten path and have some great scenery.

 Listening to: Hartford/Wiseman

[FaceOnMars]

Wasn't up there last year, so can't say for certain how conditions are, but you can likely do Ophir pass from Silverton in a non 4x4 that has high clearance.

[Festival Fred]

Thanks for the info.

Our game plan is to drive (2 wheel drive SUV) into Telluride from Ouray over Imogene Pass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9AeH0KBk7Q

Then on Monday after fest drive to Silverton over Ophir Pass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOBI6Vce0wo

[ToddG]

Cool videos. You might check trail conditions first, decent snow this year, and the video seems like its probably later in the summer than June. Probably going to be much more snow than whats in these videos.

[Festival Fred]

Here is a video of Black Bear Pass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byc-bzpxl2I

[Auntie Hope]

Cool videos. You might check trail conditions first, decent snow this year, and the video seems like its probably later in the summer than June. Probably going to be much more snow than whats in these videos.

PROBABLY???!!!!!!!????
HA!
You can count on it!!!

[lv2ski]

Cool videos. You might check trail conditions first, decent snow this year, and the video seems like its probably later in the summer than June. Probably going to be much more snow than whats in these videos.

PROBABLY???!!!!!!!????
HA!
You can count on it!!!

If there is a big snow year, like this year, is the road still open in June? Do people ever hike up to the pass or is everyone in a car? I'm inclining to hike or bike up to the pass this year.

[FaceOnMars]

Cool videos. You might check trail conditions first, decent snow this year, and the video seems like its probably later in the summer than June. Probably going to be much more snow than whats in these videos.

PROBABLY???!!!!!!!????
HA!
You can count on it!!!

If there is a big snow year, like this year, is the road still open in June? Do people ever hike up to the pass or is everyone in a car? I'm inclining to hike or bike up to the pass this year.

The snowpack is (thankfully) > 150% of average ... so generally speaking, the opening of most passes to vehicular traffic will be pushed back a bit.   A lot depends upon weather between now and then, but if trend of cold non-sunny days continues ... there'll still likely be a lot of snow!

This is not to say one couldn't hike/bike

[Australian fan]

Cool videos. You might check trail conditions first, decent snow this year, and the video seems like its probably later in the summer than June. Probably going to be much more snow than whats in these videos.

PROBABLY???!!!!!!!????
HA!
You can count on it!!!

If there is a big snow year, like this year, is the road still open in June? Do people ever hike up to the pass or is everyone in a car? I'm inclining to hike or bike up to the pass this year.

The snowpack is (thankfully) > 150% of average ... so generally speaking, the opening of most passes to vehicular traffic will be pushed back a bit.   A lot depends upon weather between now and then, but if trend of cold non-sunny days continues ... there'll still likely be a lot of snow!

This is not to say one couldn't hike/bike

So lots of water this summer? It was so dry last year....

[FaceOnMars]

So lots of water this summer? It was so dry last year....

Definitely re: rivers & reservoirs, but it's anyone's guess re: rain.  Then again, there has been a noticeable shift re: moisture and colder temps, so maybe macro trend continues into the summer.  Bluegrass is kinda "due" for a deluge.

[Australian fan]

So lots of water this summer? It was so dry last year....

Definitely re: rivers & reservoirs, but it's anyone's guess re: rain.  Then again, there has been a noticeable shift re: moisture and colder temps, so maybe macro trend continues into the summer.  Bluegrass is kinda "due" for a deluge.

Hush! We pray for Bluegrass sunshine! I leave winter to visit the sun in the canyon, nooooo rain.

[Festival Fred]

Cool videos. You might check trail conditions first, decent snow this year, and the video seems like its probably later in the summer than June. Probably going to be much more snow than whats in these videos.

Here is a video during TB in June 2015 of Ophir Pass (0:40). Looks like the road was open.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vw6JtbzAGQ