Imogene Pass

Imogene Pass
Ouray to Telluride
Completed July 1, 2021

This was the last trail in a week long trip. Had previously completed Medano Pass and Engineer Pass on my trip through Colorado. I had been keeping a close eye on the NPS website regarding this trails open/closed status. It was updated on June 28 showing Open, so I was good to go. The trail begins south of Ouray on a long dirt road headed to the pass. After driving along Camp Bird Rd for many miles there is finally a sign indicating the turnoff for Imogene Pass. I turned off, aired down to 20psi, and headed off.



I was immediately faced with numerous rocky outcroppings to drive across. Very reminiscent of Mineral Creek, this portion of the trail was meticulous and slow going. I don’t have many pictures of this portion as I was pretty tied up focusing on getting up the mountain. Just know that the Ouray side of the pass has numerous technical sections that require confidence in your rig and careful planning. There was more than one section that was incredibly narrow even for the Tacoma. At one point all I stared at after picking my line was the drivers side tire as I hung my head out the window and guided it along the very edge of the trail, trying not to look at the 1000’+ drop into the gorge as the truck cambered away from the mountain, leaning me out over the edge as the passenger side crawled up the rocks.



This continued for much of this side of the trail. Closer to the top the rocks and dirt was wet with snow melt and required use of the rear locker to continue the climb. I ran this side of the pass almost exclusively in 4lo gear locked in 2nd or 3rd with the rear locker on. I would rate this section as moderate to difficult depending on the vehicle. It was steep, technical, narrow, and wet. Luckily the weather was clear and dry with great visibility and cool temps.



Once at the top the views were spectacular. The truck ran flawlessly the entire climb up, so down I went into Telluride.





The way down was a breeze compared to the way up. There is a pretty tight switchback to the right just down from the top of the pass, with very narrow roads after, but all in all this side of the pass I would consider easy.





We encountered numerous vehicles on this side, to include a couple tour groups being driven around in Chevy 3500s. Despite their width, we were able to find many places to pass them without too much trouble.

The pictures simply do not do this trail justice, it was beautiful. Almost into Telluride you get a great view of the notorious Black Bear Pass as well.



The trail ends at what is essentially the backyards of the local residents of Telluride. Be aware there were many hikers along this portion of the trail.

 

Incredible experience I’m sure!

 

Love it!

 

Cool images. I was just on Imogene this past weekend.

 

Very cool

 

Nice! Thanks for the thorough report.

I’m headed that way in August and was planning to take Imogene or Ophir Pass from Telluride to Ouray.

Doable in a stock OR?

And do you think you needed the rear locker on? I’ve read some people making it with just 4H (but I guess driver experience drives a lot of that).

 

Yes, both are doable stock. Don't need the locker.

 

Xlnt! Thanks for the encouragement

 

LOVE this picture. I can't wait to do some water crossings myself. Nothing like the feeling over driving across a stream!

 

This is a major bucket list for me! Dig you do black bear pass as well?
Fantastic pictures!!!

 

Sorry for responding to an old thread. But I got some questions. Looking to make a trip out to Colorado to do some camping and off-roading. I have a 2022 trdoffroad with a 2” suspension lift and skid plates. I recently got a set of 16x8 method 701s I put on a set of copper discover rugged treks. But this is were my question is. I decided to keep the stock wheel and tire diameter for daily driving purposes but now I feel I might regret that if I ever want to head off-roading out west and do these trails. Do you guys think this setup is capable enough to do the trails around here efficiently. I also plan on adding some actually rock sliders.

 

You're fine for the majority of the popular passes; remember Imogene and such are county roads and are maintained.

The "off-road obstacles" are few, but the penalty for texting and driving means you fall down a mountain.