The Telluride Area - So Many Choices!
Click image to enlarge.
Go to the Ouray page for the Imogene Pass and Black Bear Pass descriptions.
SH 145 and SH62 are part of the San Juan Skyway. 
Alta Lakes/Gold King Basin
| SH 145/Oak St. | N37.9380° | W107.8128° |
| SH 145/SH 145S | N37.9505° | W107.8700° |
| SH 145/FR 632 | N37.8838° | W107.8885° |
| FR632/FR 649 | N37.8857° | W107.8532° |
| FR 632/Gold King | N37.8832° | W107.8487° |
| First Alta Lake | N37.8847° | W107.8457° |
How to get there:
From the intersection of SH 145 and Oak Street in Telluride, drive west 3.4 miles and turn south on SH 145S. Follow SH 145S for 5.3 miles to the junction with FR 632 and turn east. From there follow the road to the ruins of Alta, cross the stream and continue uphill. At mile 3.7, take FR 649 to the south. You will reach the road to Gold King basin at mile 4 and the first Alta Lake at mile 4.2.
Photo Ops:
The ruins of Alta provide some good photo opportunities. Along the road are some nice vistas back to the west. Gold King basin and the Alta Lakes provide some excellent wildflower opportunites as well as some nice vistas.
Ophir Pass
How to get there:
| SH 145/Oak St. | N37.9380° | W107.8128° |
| SH 145/SH 145S | N37.9505° | W107.8700° |
| SH 145S/CR 8 | N37.8615° | W107.8698° |
| Ophir | N37.8573° | W107.8322° |
| Ophir Pass | N37.8510° | W107.7795° |
| CR 8/US 550 | N378480° | W107.7248° |
From the intersection of SH 145 and Oak Street in Telluride, drive west 3.4 miles and turn south on SH 145S. Follow SH 145S for 7.25 miles to the junction with CR 8 and turn east towards the town of Ophir. You will reach the town at mile 2.2 and the summit of the pass at mile 5.6. The junction with US 550 is reached at mile 9.3.
Photo Ops:
The Ophir Pass road primarily offers some nice mountain vistas but there are some wildflower opportunities in the forested area east of the town of Ophir.
Last Dollar Road
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How to get there:
| SH 145/Oak St. | N37.9380° | W107.8128° |
| SH 145/Last Dollar Rd | N37.9508° | W107.8682° |
| Last Dollar Rd/FR 638 | N38.0508° | W107.9572° |
| Last Dollar Rd/SH 62 | N38.1000° | W107.9125° |
From the junction of Oak Street and SH 145 in Telluride, travel west 3.25 miles to the Last Dollar road (FR 638). There will be a sign directing you to the airport. Turn north. At mile 14.9, stay right on Last Dollar road. You will reach SH 62 at mile 19.9, just west of the Dallas Divide.
Most of this road is passable by passsenger car when dry, but there are some rough sections that may require high clearance.
Photo Ops:
This road travels through aspen forests and meadows with several mountain vistas. The southern half offers vistas of Mt. Wilson, best in morning light, while the northern half offers vistas of Mt. Sneffels, best in afternoon light. Very nice. Near the junction of SH 62, there has been in the past a large field planted in sunflowers with Mt. Sneffels in the background.
Silver Pick Road/Wilson Mesa
How to get there:
| SH 145/Oak St. | N37.9380° | W107.8128° |
| SH 145/CR 60M | N37.9678° | W107.9717° |
| CR 60M/FR 622 | N37.9202° | W107.9878° |
From SH 145 and Oak Street in Telluride, drive west 9.3 miles to the junction with the Silver Pick road CR 60M and turn south. From there it is 4 miles to the junction with FR 622. The Silver Pick road will make a large loop back to the north and reconnects with SH 145 in about 10 miles. FR 622 continues south about 3.8 miles to end at the Silver Pick Mill.
Photo Ops:
The Silver Pick road takes you to the Wilson mesa with views of the dramatic Wilson Peak and the aspen forests on it's flanks. Early morning light is best. There are several other roads in this area that deserve exploration. Try one!
Lizard Head Pass
How to get there:
| SH 145/Oak St. | N37.9380° | W107.8128° |
| SH 145/SH 145S | N37.9505° | W107.8700° |
| Lizard Head Pass | N37.8112° | W107.9083° |
From the intersection of SH 145 and Oak Street in Telluride, drive west 3.4 miles and turn south on SH 145S. Follow SH 145S for 12.4 miles to Lizard Head pass.
Photo Ops:
This stretch of SH 145 passes through several large aspen stands and breath taking scenery. The views from the pass are stunning.
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