One of the very first trips we took was to run the original Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR) in July 2017. In fact, we attempted a segment of the route in May on our way home from a trip to Oregon's Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, but lingering snow and dozens of down trees made progress painfully slow. We enjoyed it so much that every year since, we've picked another BDR to tick off the list.
This year, Colorado is the name of the game, and it's one I've been looking forward to for quite some time.
The route begins at Four Corners - where CO, AZ, NM and UT meet - on Navajo Nation. It then winds its way 745 miles north - much of the route above 10,000 feet as it climbs and falls through the San Juans and Rocky Mountains - to the Wyoming border. Along the way, high mountain passes, expansive views, numerous mines, and extended water crossings add a bit of excitement.
Stage 1: Four Corners to Telluride | 131 miles
Stage 2: Telluride to Lake City | 123 miles
Stage 3: Lake City to Buena Vista | 144 miles
Stage 4: Buena Vista to Gypsum | 143 miles
Stage 5: Gypsum to Steamboat Springs | 122 miles
Stage 6: Steamboat Springs to Wyoming | 81 miles
As usual, BDR routes can be found on the RideBDR web site. I always find there's a little work to get them into tip-top shape, but that just gets you a little more familiar with the route before you embark yourself!
Let's not get ahead of ourselves, this trip is coming soon...Consider subscribing to be notified when it's here!
I was there July 2025 and it was a bummer that Imogene and Black Bear were closed. Imogene on the Telluride side (can drive in from Ouray to summit) and Black Bear as a whole. Engineer was fun, and continuing to Mineral Pass got a bit more squirrely if you go that route! Looking forward to this one.
Hey Zac, nice Offroad trailer! It’Sa bit of a bummer that the passes are closed, but as afar as I can tell, the COBDR route doesn’t traverse any of the closed passes. Were you just trying to explore more of the Alpine Loop while you were in the area?
It’s definitely a fun loop - i fan Black Bear and Imogene a few years ago and then Mineral Springs after completing the NMBDR. Loved all of it!
We were there mid July this year and Black Bear was open, except the few times it was closed to remove a wreck at the steps.
Nice! Black Bear isn't on the actual BDR route - the route (as you may know) goes up and over Ophir, Corckscrew, Hurricane, California, and Cinnamon Passes - but Black Bear is a fun drive for sure!
Actually, the "normal route" now skips the Alpine Loop entirely in an effort to appeal to a broader range of riders. Personally, I think the "Alternate Expert" option - what was the main route previously, should be the only option. How can you go through Colorado and not actually visit the loop? Craziness.
I was just mentioning that it's actually open this year, unlike last year. I commissioned a custom sign that looks like the metal summit elevation signs. Mine says - Black Bear Pass / Is It Open Yet?
lol, gotcha. I don't really follow the open status of the passes down there (unless I'm headed that direction). Definitely saw tons of people pouring down the switchbacks when we passed through Telluride.