Somehow our camera went on the fritz until we were nearing Ophir Pass but the area is heavy with Aspen forests and I'm sure would be a top venue for autumn leaf lookers. This area is past the Aspens and into Fir and rock.

At the end of a 3-point turn around and heading back uphill.

Nearing the summit.

From what I was told Ophir Pass was one of the first trails cleared this season and eventually leads into the town of Telluride.

A little snow pack but nothing like Hurricane pass or Imogene.

Did I forget to mention that we were up at the summit dodging very large lightning bolts and being doused by torrential rains? Not a great time to be at 12,000’ but Jason assured me that the lightening wasn’t interested in us because we were on rubber tires. I’m still thinking I’d prefer sunny skies and 10% humidity!

Over the pass and onto to the town of Ophir.

That lightning and rain is going to catch us real soon!

Starting to decend.

Not to bad of a trail considering that it was just cleared by a bulldozer a few weeks ago.

Is that blue sky on the horizon?

Jason's turn down the trail.

After an awesome Chinese lunch in Telluride it was time to take a casual trip back on the Last Dollar Road. I would have preferred Imogene but the trail was only clear up to the Tomboy mine.

The sun finally broke out and gave us a chance to dry out.

This area has a little more rural appeal to it and that made my fear of heights wife very happy!

Sheep grazing in the meadow.

Here's Missy chasing down a baby elk for a photo-op.

A beautiful overlook back towards Telluride.

We crossed over a cattle guard and entered an open range area. This damn Llama was guarding the exit at the other end and attacked our Tour Jeep. I scooted out just in the nick of time before I was on the receiving end of a hoof kick on the side of my Jeep.

Now it was Jason's turn.

Jason & Milinda stood their ground and the Llama proved to be just an empty threat.

More agriculture ahead.

A simple toot of the horn and these bovine scattered.

The road back to town.

Wildflowers were starting to bloom at this elevation in the San Juans.

This is part of the Ralph Larurn Ranch.

Once again we were racing to beat the rain!