Black Bear Pass

Colorado's most dangerous, yet not most deadly, pass is Black Bear Pass, between Silverton Colorado and Telluride Colorado.

If you rent a jeep here in Colorado, you must sign a paper stating you will not attempt to take it over Black Bear Pass.

Over one hundred years ago a prospector found a mine up on the side of the mountain. He built this road in order to get his wagons and supplies up from Telluride, so it's been in use for over a hundred years. They say you have to be crazy to even attempt to drive it.

I have not driven it....yet. The thought of driving it both scares the hell out of me and yet gets me all excited. I want to feel that thrill! I no longer have my Jeep Wrangler, so I will have to wait until I buy another one as there is no way I will attempt it in my Expedition!

Black Bear starts out easy enough. Nice smooth 4WD road, coming over the mountain from Silverton. It's a two way road all the way to Ingram Falls. This is your last chance to question your sanity and turn around. If you choose to proceed anyway, you need to be aware that you will NOT be able to back up, and you MUST have a short base, high clearance vehicle, your chance at surviving the trip down this pass will decrease as the size of your vehicle increases.