Known as one of the most scenic off-road trails in Colorado, Imogene Pass is a bucket list location for many of us. If you love taking your 4×4 out on the trails, this is one to check out in the summer of 2021. Yes, winter sports are just starting to ramp up. That doesn’t mean that some of us aren’t boarding down the mountain daydreaming about our plans for 2021.

If you are looking for a pretty off-road trail for next year’s summer fun, you’ll want to check out Imogene Pass. It’s a trail meant for 4×4 off-road-oriented vehicles only. Some say it’s not for beginners, some say send it. Regardless, if you follow standard safety precautions and do your research this is a fun trail that most stock 4×4 vehicles can handle. And the views are absolutely breathtaking.

Mountain passes aren’t just for winter sports

A lot of us think of mountain passes when our minds are turned to snowboarding and skiing. But this areas aren’t just for winter sports. With a handy 4×4 and some guts, off-road trails are out there to be explored.

If you buy a vehicle that’s generally built for off-road adventure, then you likely already fantasize about challenging your 4×4 driving skills. Plus, it’s fun to test the limits of your vehicle. Especially if you’ve added off-road upgrades or aftermarket products, it’s fun to see what your adventure truck is capable of.

Where is Imogene pass?

According to AllTrails, Imogene Pass is a 17.5-mile point to point trail. It’s located in the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado. While traversing this pretty off-road trail, you’ll cross a ridge that connects Ouray, CO with Telluride, CO. It’s the highest mountain pass in all of the San Juan Mountains.

Plus, it’s the second-highest mountain crossing accessible to vehicles in the entire state of Colorado. The elevation is listed as 4,734 feet. The highest point of elevation is 13,114 feet. With a rating of moderate, this trail has so much to offer. Even if you’re a bit of an off-roading greenhorn, you’re still likely to have plenty of fun here in the right vehicle.

But bring someone along who really knows what they’re doing. The website says experienced drivers only. Just because an off-road trail gets a moderate rating, doesn’t mean it should be taken lightly.

When is the best time to go off-roading in Colorado?

Passes are covered by snow in the winter. Once the areas are plowed in the summer, they are open for off-road business. This pretty off-road trail is best from July through September.

On AllTrails, it’s said to be a heavily trafficked trail. However, reviews of the trail say that meeting other vehicles doesn’t actually happen that much. Most of the other vehicles groups encountered were on the Telluride side. Expect the trip to take most of the day, especially if you want to get out and enjoy the scenic views and explore a bit.

There are also some old ruins from a mining camp. It’s called Tomboy Townsite and it was once one of the most inhabited mining camps in Colorado. If you love a little history and a seriously pretty off-road trail, Imogene Pass is definitely one to check out for your next adventure.