Is it right for you?
San Joaquin Ridge rises just northeast of the old town of Ophir, between Ophir Pass and Bridal Veil Basin. The summit looks down on the rugged ridge of the same name that runs north into upper Bear Creek. Newer survey data added 20 feet to its height.
From the Ophir Pass road, an old mining road climbs to the Carbonero Mine. Above it you go straight up a steep ridge on grass, tundra and then scree to Point 13,446, a false summit, and walk east along the ridge to the true top. It is a steep Class 2 with a few small cliff bands.
The round trip is about 4 miles with 3,350 feet of gain if you walk from the road. Silver Mountain is a Class 2+ ridge traverse to the west (see that page).
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be at Point 13,446 by 11 a.m.
Steep scree and small cliff bands below Point 13,446.
Easy above the mine, but the old road's lower end is hard to find.
Little on the route. Carry plenty.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,480'…—
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Afternoon storm risk is the line that matters. Everything else is comfort. In summer, plan to be off the ridge before the build-up starts, not as it starts. Forecast for the summit point, adjusted for its elevation · data from Open-Meteo.
Getting there
Ophir Pass road (Carbonero Mine)
From Society Junction, about 4 miles west of Telluride, go south on Highway 145 and turn off for Ophir. Drive east to the town, then keep east on Forest Road 630, the Ophir Pass road. Passenger cars can reach the trailhead area.
An old mining road climbs in switchbacks through the trees; it ends at the Carbonero Mine, near 11,450 feet. Maps disagree on where it runs, so check current maps before you go. Another 4WD track leaves Forest Road 630 a little past the Swamp Canyon turnoff and once reached the mine, but it may now be closed to vehicles.
The mine sits on a large block of private mining claims, and access to it may now be closed. Other ways up: an old road that runs north from Ophir up to the Gertrude Mine, then the ridge on the east side of Straatsburg Basin to the Silver-San Joaquin ridge; or trail 508.1A, starting about half a mile east of the Swamp Canyon turnoff, which crosses the ridge just east of Point 13,432 into the head of Bridal Veil Basin. There are no campgrounds near Ophir, only a few primitive sites, and lots of private property. Sunshine Campground is about two miles north of the Ophir turnoff on 145.
Base towns and camping for this climb
Coming from out of state? See Lodging & Camping for how free camping works, what is closed this year and where to stay.
Before you go
Check these the week of your climb.
Official forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for the summit area, hour by hour. Look for thunderstorm chances and wind above treeline.
NWS point forecast →Directions to the trailhead
Ophir Pass road (Carbonero Mine). Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Get directions →Roads and highways
Closures, construction and winter conditions on the highways that get you there.
COtrip road conditions →Closures and fire rules
Trail closures, fire bans and other alerts from the Forest Service in Colorado. For the latest on your trailhead, call the local ranger district.
Forest Service alerts →Snow on the route?
From fall through early summer, any snow slope can slide. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.
Avalanche forecast →Cell signal
Most trailheads and many summits have little or no signal. Check coverage near the trailhead and carry a satellite messenger or beacon if you can.
FCC coverage map →