A notorious mountain pass in Colorado has officially opened for the season – drivers, beware of the risks before taking it on.

According to the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office, Black Bear Pass is officially open, perhaps best known for its narrow and steep switchbacks that can be seen from the Telluride area. The route starts at an elevation of about 11,018 feet on the summit of Red Mountain Pass, stretching about 8.5 miles as it drops down into the Telluride area at Bridal Veil Falls. Given how dangerous and tight some sections of the road are, it’s driven one-way until it hits Bridal Veil Falls.

Black Bear Pass is assigned a technical rating of six of 10 on OnX, with a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle strongly recommended for travel along the route. Much of the route is flanked by a drop-off that comes with serious exposure risk. Vehicles have tumbled down these switchbacks in the past.

As noted by the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office: “Black Bear Pass is a notoriously difficult off-road trail and should only be attempted by experienced drivers operating 4WD vehicles with low-range gearing. Regular SUVs and AWD vehicles do not have the ground clearance or articulation needed to safely navigate the terrain.”

Weather can also be cause for concern on this route given its high elevation and how traffic is slow moving. Pay close attention to the forecast and start the trip early to avoid afternoon storms. Plan ahead with some sort of emergency satellite communications device, too, as any issues may mean hours of waiting for rescue and being able to get a call for help out quickly can expediate that process.

Learn more about this route here or check out this video for a look at what the road is like.

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