Black Bear Pass, on the Trans America Trail

Jake and I take on Black Bear Pass as we head through Colorado on the Trans America Trail.
Black Bear Pass is probably the most difficult of the Colorado Mountain Passes because of the treacherous descent into Telluride on the Western side. There are steep rocky steps, 1000 foot cliffs, and some of the most beautiful views that you will ever see.

[@carthrasher8022]

Great video w/ outstanding scenery! Like your narrative style. No drama, no annoying background music or excessive verbiage. Straight up descriptions. Thanks for "taking me along" on this trip! Be safe. Looking forward to the next one.

[@BillyTyo]

Thanks for riding along. Working on an Imogene Pass video now.

[@The333]

Wow, I gotta say, this was one of the best ADV ride videos I have watched - my palms were literally sweating at some points. Heard and read alot about Black Bear. I don't think I would ever attempt it (even on a smaller Dual Sport). You guys rode it amazingly well. Really great stuff. Bravo, gentlemen.

[@lilliansmith5078]

Couldn't agree more!

[@BillyTyo]

@@lilliansmith5078 thanks guys, it was a wild ride

[@kellyodegaard5718]

OMG! My BP is up and I'm fully puckered while watching this and I've been riding over 40 years. Thanks for shooting this video, now I won't feel that I need to do Black Bear Pass on my loaded Africa Twin!

[@catdaddy3302]

I wouldn’t do it on anything bigger than my KTM 690 Enduro R. And I’d rather ride it on a 300.

[@tylerbehrens6593]

You can see the phone drop out at 8:23 and you can see it on the ground in the bottom right at 8:26. Great video by the way, looks like a ton of fun!

[@B33Jus]

I was watching and saw the phone drop too!

[@BillyTyo]

I wish I had known this that day, I stopped and walked around looking for it for a long time.

[@JAMESWUERTELE]

The house was the first hydro electric plant in North America. Also that’s called Bridal Veil Falls.

[@mikeowen9268]

No it was not. Few miles away, the Ames plant in Ophir was built in 1890. This one, known now as the Smuggler-Union Hydroelectric Power Plant, was built in 1907. Currently the power generated provides about 25 percent of Telluride's demand for electricity and the plant still contains its original 2300 volt Westinghouse Electric AC generator.

[@profighter1234]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXTEfKBsoM-IldE now both ya'll stfu

[@BillyTyo]

@@mikeowen9268 very cool!

[@dougupah8778]

I hate ridding in the rain, makes stuff slippery! The day we rode BBP there was a guy on a BMW, dont know the size/model but I dont think they make small bikes, he made it ok, slow but.......He said that he had no experience on trails like this and at times it showed but he got to the bottom. Enjoyed your video and I'm a bit jealous of your ridding cross country with your son, that would be a blast. thanks

[@BillyTyo]

Wow, I wouldn't want to tackle Black Bear with no off road experience, I'd say he did some puckering.

[@jamespolucha6911]

I’ve been wanting to do this my whole life and just can’t get anyone interested in it, I admire you guys for doing it

[@jf7393]

sounds like you should do it solo. lots of information on the net for solo TAT.

[@BillyTyo]

Go for it!

[@jimbernard8964]

I did it solo at 56 with little off-road experience. Trip of a lifetime. Just do it.

[@justindilworth8385]

Id be so nervous to get a flat tire. Only concern

[@davidlaforce1855]

Done all those trail around that area most of my life, it’s definitely where my hearts at

[@BillyTyo]

It is an amazing place to ride!

[@davidlaforce1855]

@@BillyTyo yup, then Moab’s just a couple hours north

[@stealinglucky]

Excellent Video!! I grew up in those mountains riding with my big brother there is still a treat!. You are correct the riding isn't super technical but even a small mistake "such as poor choice of motorcycle or bravado" can be catastrophic "the mountains do not suffer fools :) " Glad you get to enjoy rides like this with your son. Safe travels

[@BillyTyo]

Thanks. That would be an awesome place to grown up

[@user-nz7od8ff2j]

What a great video Billy! i remember this day in Colorado, its very steep pass with a lot of attention need from you as a rider+ experience in rocky terrines. You are absolutely right in your recommendation about this pass. You and Jack are great riders!!

[@BillyTyo]

Thank you!

[@jimsnyder1742]

Great footage! Thanks for sharing

[@CraigShawCraigShaw]

Beautiful landscape. Great video! Gnarly pass!!

[@passinthru4328]

Stunning ride. Appreciate the commentary. It helped to understand what was going on.

[@msims1250]

I love watching y’all ride this stuff! Thanks for the videos!

[@BillyTyo]

More to come!

[@Trailryder42]

Good job guys. I agree, one of the better documented videos of it on a motorcycle. A buddy and I rode it last year.

[@BillyTyo]

Thank you! We rode Imogene pass right after Black Bear, will do a video on it next

[@jamesbramblett3346]

@Trailryder42 helped me get my xr400 carb running great a long time ago, thanks! And thanks @BillyTyo for all the great videos too 👍🏻 That house at the end was something to see!!!

[@Unfunny_Username_389]

mind-blowing and those riding skills were sharp AF too

[@kavonrahmani5634]

Great inspiring video. Thanks for having the courage.

[@ToddGlasier]

That was intense! You can tell by the way I was leaning in my chair as you were going through the switchbacks! And the drop over the edge on some of those shots - hoo boy!

[@timetomoto]

Wow! Great video! This looks like a lot of fun... once you're done and reflecting on how crazy it was. Amazing views.

[@regularsteve84]

You guys are awesome! Thanks for making this video!

[@BillyTyo]

Thanks for watching!

[@38vsix]

You guys are great riders! Y’all made it look easy! I have watched a lot of riders on KZbin really struggle on black bear pass!

[@claystockton4777]

I loved this video! Thanks for sharing.

[@BillyTyo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fredflintstone1754]

best quality video of its type that I've seen. Content, sound, steady, well done.

[@BillyTyo]

Wow, thanks!

[@johnvincent9685]

Awesome great video loved it

[@russclewley6945]

Thanks for taking us along on your adventure!

[@BillyTyo]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@manfredruhmer6355]

What a ride! Sometimes I felt like riding myself. Well done, nice cool talk also. The long way down could easily end in a short cut to death, in that super landscape!

[@bernhardschweighofer143]

Absolutely fantastic track and country side lol us the fact that you are having fun and learning and experiencing some of the best ways to enjoy life is just awesome. I can’t get enough of riding my bike around New Zealand and seeing new places!

[@BillyTyo]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@nateums]

looks so fun! a challenging ride makes the best memories

[@xthemeditationspot]

Awesome video, great commentary!

[@AggieAlum2000]

One hell of a great adventure ride you just took us on! Thank you

[@BillyTyo]

Thanks for watching, it was a wild day

[@curtishouser7173]

Great video. Best I’ve seen yet of Black Bear Pass! A+!!!

[@BillyTyo]

Thank you!

[@NyphronRising]

Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with us. From Australia

[@BillyTyo]

Thanks for watching!

[@CTC7599]

If memory serves, the house used to be the pump house getting electrical power off the waterfall and powering the town. There used to be a cable system that ran up to the house that was initially used for supplies and possibly people, but its since broken loose and fallen within the past 15 years. You can still see some of the cable at the base of the falls, where most of the Subaru owners and hikers gather near the end of black bear. I've been wheeling in that area since I was in a car seat with my parents, so a lot of these views have become almost a second home to me. its refreshing to see someone's reaction who has never seen it before, it breathes new life in what might have started to become boring. I havent heard you mention yet which map for the TAT you guys are using. Your extreme single track route is one id likely want to replicate if I could ever get the time. I have faith in my skills and I trust my XR650L to get me wherever I point it, I just need the time and a safety buddy to go along!

[@BillyTyo]

Very cool. We used both Sam's and Kevin's maps and just picked the one that looked the most interesting each day. Rainbow Trail was an option on Kevin's map

[@hwobstj]

One of the best Moto vids of black bear pass I’ve seen. Great job and we’ll done.

[@BillyTyo]

Thanks very much!

[@ThrottleScotty]

Great video, great riding and great commentary. I've ridden in that area a fair amount the past few years, but haven't done Black Bear yet (my 350 isn't street legal, so kind of a PIA). Seen many videos of this pass and love how you guys just blew threw it even in the not-so-ideal conditions. Thanks for posting this!

[@BillyTyo]

Thanks for watching, glad you liked it. Imogene Pass video is next

[@100868ful]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing!

[@BillyTyo]

Thanks for watching!

[@motoscreenzllc4433]

Thanks for the ride-a- long ... nicely done!

[@BillyTyo]

You are welcome, glad you enjoyed it

[@yesode4201]

Nice video! I love having a volume so much rambling.

[@sdbrantley9065]

Great video. Excellent commentary

[@BillyTyo]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@philippechabagno9246]

une vidéo splendide. Des paysages exceptionnels. Merci. Continuez. Bravo

[@campingalan]

Hello from Ouray! Thank you for sharing your ride!

[@BillyTyo]

Ouray, very cool town, hello!

[@jameswathen2376]

Great video !

[@justinstiff5641]

Great videos thanks

[@jeg569]

Both you guys have got some skills, been leaning your bike into the hill from my seat at home 🙈👍

[@sambernhofer7613]

I keep coming back to your videos. I can't wait to try the TAT someday on my trusty, bulky, KLR (maaaaybe not the steps!). Thanks so much for sharing. Wishing you and your son well.

[@BillyTyo]

Thank you, and thanks for watching, the TAT is an amazing adventure.

[@SegoMan]

Thanks for the reminder why I need to go back there!

[@lilliansmith5078]

Excellent commentary

[@Anura16]

Thanks for video. I rode pass years ago in spring before it was officially open, big snow cuts. From your video it looks like the road is rougher and more eroded than when I was there. Good video.

[@BillyTyo]

Sounds sketchy in the snow

[@kakudmi]

Just wow. Thank you!

[@AdventureTomek]

What an awesome ride. Hoping to get down that way this next season.

[@a2realtor]

I agree, this is one the best videos. Great camera perspective.

[@BillyTyo]

Thank you!

[@Bob_on_Bikes]

This is the bike for that kind of stuff. Breathtaking views.

[@unjarredoutdoors5513]

Wow that looks like a really great time. Love the intro part 👍

[@markcheavens4619]

Great video and commentary. The views on clear days are spectacular. I have done Black Bear many times on 250's and 400's, plus Jeeps and even a (modified) Suburban. The worst trip was when I ignored the "road closed" signs and the switch backs on the West side were washed out and we had to ride two 400's UP the Steps. Not a fun day, but still an adventure!

[@BillyTyo]

I imagine riding up the steps would be a wild trip. We also ignored ‘road closed’ signs later that same day on Imogene pass, I’ll do a video of it soon.

[@josephduckworth4597]

That was some the most suspenseful content. I was on the edge of my seat for ya. I can relate as far as the drop offs. Kinda anyways. None that long. Great video.

[@bsmith4u2]

Great videos guys. I really enjoy them. Been up and down that pass many times. When riding the CO 500, My buddy and I always have an engine-off race from the top to the bottom down into Telluride.

[@BillyTyo]

Now, that sounds fun. Would have to watch some of those drops with the engine off.

[@bsmith4u2]

@@BillyTyo Much lighter bikes than fully packed ADV bikes. KTM 525 and 450's 😉

[@franksmith9692]

Doing that in the rain. A bit sketchy. Glad you made it. Great riding. Great video!

[@BillyTyo]

Thanks! I was worried that a big storm would hit, but we got lucky, aside from the slick rocks the weather wasn't too bad

[@Resort_Fans]

Gorgeous footage. There is definitely a pucker factor here!

[@BillyTyo]

For sure! Don't look down

[@garyteague4480]

Beautiful

[@abhishekjmadan]

Been down with covid, really miss being outdoors and on my bike. Living vicariously through your adventure. All your videos have been great, partial to the rainbow trail one.

[@BillyTyo]

Glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for watching.

[@russclewley6945]

Great video

[@jason-oh6qr]

Me and a few buddies are heading there the last week of July this year. Very excited!

[@BillyTyo]

It is a great place to ride, enjoy!

[@KD6IFG-1]

Such beautiful country.... the scenery is very different along this trail. Made the trek in 2015, driving my FJ Cruiser. Breathtaking for sure!!! Glad I did it, and made it safely down to Telluride.

[@BillyTyo]

Nice!

[@masonalbertin2118]

Great video Billy! I too am a 450L/RL rider and planning on riding the Alpine Loop in Colorado one day.

[@BillyTyo]

Thanks! That area is so much fun to ride. Would love to go back and do some more exploring.

[@stevestowell-virtue3781]

Excellent video. Great editing and narrative not to mention some very skillful riding!

[@BillyTyo]

Thanks!

[@marshalljohn1]

Great video. Good job editing keeping it simple almost like Im there with you. I watch a lot of these style videos and very seldom subscribe but you got me. Keep up the good work and thanks for what you do bringing great content.

[@BillyTyo]

Thank you!

[@mohammadhadimirzaei5156]

Realy beautiful 👌🏻

[@opichocal]

Some of those drop offs make me nervous. That view is AWESOME and I can only imagine how much fun you’re having

[@BillyTyo]

That is why I tried not to look down....

[@ferkuzuel]

Great video, thanks for sharing, I did cinnamon and engineer pass in September of last year on my 690, I hope to do bear pass this year, and I totally agree this passes are more of a dual sport territory, and ideally with no luggage, Cheers

[@zguy6648]

You lost your phone when you hit the big ditch at 8:23… haha! Great videos. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@BillyTyo]

I wondered what happened to that thing!

[@TxCxx]

Wow great video. I plan on riding the black bear pass this year.

[@idawillis5997]

Love it!!

[@gungfuriceboy]

thanks Boy's...for sharing Your 'Experience' at Black Bear Pass..on 'BIKES'!...But My Riding 'SKILLS' Are Not EVEN 'CLOSE' to your Ability! Glad yah Guys made IT SAFELY! Cheers From Canada!

[@silinusvers]

For anyone doing stuff like this, or motorcycle riding in general, I put a piece of velcro on my phone and phone holder to ensure it never falls out. I drive off road as a truck driver and another driver showed me how he stopped his phone from ever popping out of the holder by adding velcro to it

[@Robert8455]

Wow that was amazing. I think I am a pretty skilled rider but I do have this thingy with heights and I was getting on the edge of my seat just watching the video. Slippery rocks, loose boulders and 1,000+ drops pretty wild. Glad I can appreciate the views you captured, don't think I could do it in person.

[@BillyTyo]

Just don’t look down! Thanks for watching

[@jamesheron2034]

Thanks Billy, that was fun.

[@BillyTyo]

That's what it's all about. Ride on.

[@WillysPerformanceCycleCtr]

Black Bear definitely has a series of beautiful views! But, the consequence of riding and looking at the scenery might not be too good! Great video! Best one I’ve seen of this pass. Thanks. Be safe out there!

[@BillyTyo]

Thanks for watching. Imogene Pass is up next.

[@kilojeromesmith4488]

Not sure how I found your channel but I’m happy I did. 👍

[@BillyTyo]

Welcome!

[@AmazingEtte]

yall are bonkers love it

[@andrewtreloar7389]

Masterful!!

[@BillyTyo]

Thank you. Probably more ‘luck’ than mastery though, lol

[@mt-nv4jd]

I would say the consequences of a mistake are "Grim." Kudos for doing this, and thanks for the video for the rest of us.

[@BillyTyo]

Don’t look down!

[@mototopia]

This is an amazing video. Great job - riding, filming, narration, editing - excellent work! I was just in Colorado and did many of the passes in this area. The only one harder than Black Bear may be Poughkeepsie Gulch coming down from Hurricane and California passes. I don’t advise it on any bike. Grateful that me and my 701 LR survived intact!

[@BillyTyo]

Wow, sounds gnarly. I’m glad Jake didn’t know about that one or he wound have made me do it!

[@markbabcock40205]

I haven't seen all of them but your vid of Black Bear is the best I've seen. Well done. I've got the bike for it (WR) but I'm to old and slow now!

[@BillyTyo]

Thank you!

[@cr250rdr]

Really enjoying this journey. Excellent videos. Sorry to hear about the phone. I had noticed on the prior Rainbow Trail video that the Ram Xmount for the phone oriented sideways (the phone was not in it) and thought to myself, "I hope he turns that mount up to the vertical position before he puts the phone back in it, because the phone will bounce out (as mine did) in the rough stuff with the mount oriented sideways. " Those mounts work better when oriented upright, but super rough riding may still drop the phone. Have since moved on to a mount that clamps the phone in place. Keep the videos coming!

[@lordraven2264]

I've been down it at least a dozen times, it isn't hard at all. I even road it on my KTM950SE without any issues what so ever. I even saw a guy do it on a GS1200! There are a lot more technical rides in Taylor park. The ride from Telluride back to Ouray is amazing, so much fun. Great video, tnx.

[@BillyTyo]

I would love to take my KTM 250 to Taylor park, I heard it is awesome

[@Buck1954]

Takes me back to my youth in the 70's when I rode a lot of the passes on a Honda SL 125 with reduced jets and a 62 rear sprocket. Got caught on a pass in the Sangre de Cristos and in a heavy down pour ended up sliding on my butt down part of it. Many of those pass roads seem tore up compared to then. No way I would attempt some of them now unless I was on a 450 perhaps. That, and I'm closing in on 70 pretty fast. Thanks for letting me live through your ride.

[@Buck1954]

I've got an experience of riding with a guy that only rode street bikes and he fell off a slope like the one seen at 6:40 though there were some trees (more mulch than rock) at that elevation. I tried to catch him, but ended up dropping my bike, grabbing some rope and a med kit and jumping off the side to help. The bike only went 60 feet upside down, but he rolled a long way down.

[@BillyTyo]

Wow, just don't look down......

[@Asdfghjkl1234]

With rainy conditions - you guys are amazing riders! I have an Africa Twin and would never ever do this on that bike - maybe I’d walk it down the mountain.

[@BillyTyo]

Thank you, it was a bit sketchy and we were glad to get to the bottom. I wouldn’t want to try it on anything bigger than the 450.

[@BuntaBall40]

Awersome ride guys

[@jaywinters2483]

Man!… I really enjoyed this video. As a former motocross racer for many many years and former Enduro rider. I so much enjoyed this! I found myself leaning physically do the uphill side of the trail no matter which side of the switch back you were on. Haha. I would’ve gone slower than you guys did and I would’ve had a Yamaha DT 200 with the forks that are stiffer than stock

[@BillyTyo]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching! It was a fun ride. We are getting ready for GNCC season now (east coast enduro series)

[@barnman3187]

Excellent video and nice riding down the steps. It captures BB better than any other I've ever seen. I did BB and Imogene on my Hypermotard and I was very scared the whole time. I crashed hard on some of those ledges above the steps, but not on the steps.

[@BillyTyo]

Thanks. That would be really tough on a bigger bike. We did Imogene right after Black Bear, will put a video together soon

[@manxology]

Awesome!

[@klrnomad]

I can't wait! Summer 2024 for me.

[@BillyTyo]

Awesome, you going from east to west?

[@klrnomad]

@Billy Tyo yes. I live in NC, so starting at Nag's Head.

[@CalvinBradley]

Smuggler-Union hydroelectric power plant is the house by the falls below Black Bear pass. I’ve seen it on a hundred videos but never thought to find out about it. So after you said that you had no idea what the story was I decided to look it up. Enjoyed watching your ride.

[@BillyTyo]

Thanks for looking that up, now we know!

[@Charlie-go6eb]

Silverton is stunning. There are lots of trails around there that have drops that are several hundred feet. The reality is it doesn’t really matter arter that. There all deadly if you make a mistake. As long as your patient, take your time, and use some common sense you’ll be just fine. It’s hard to understand how stunning the scenery is until you experience it. Great video!

[@RantzBizGroup]

Great ride!!! Makes me with I was 30 years younger!!!

[@BillyTyo]

Thanks, I wish I was too!

[@RantzBizGroup]

@@BillyTyo 🤣🤣🤣🤣⚰️

[@E.FrankSmith]

Amazing

[@Makermook]

When you eased toward the edge at 13:00 I about had a heart attack!

[@BillyTyo]

That was a bit of a drop off!

[@erickirn622]

I have been down Black Bear on my 1190r loaded up and on my 690r empty. The 690 was way more funner!! lol. Good job Guys! IMHO, Imagene is harder going up out of Telluride, maybe because we were tired form Black Bear...Anyway, Colorado is Amazing!! Thanks for the ride!!

[@BillyTyo]

Impressive! It is a beautiful place to ride

[@charliem5332]

Whoa that's a ballsy ride. Your videos make me want to go there and do it all. I stopped using ram mounts for that exact reason. I've found the quadlock way superior and much more user friendly. Another great video. I'm nearly getting vertigo just watching 😂

[@BillyTyo]

I need to try the quad lock. Thanks for watching

[@tdr30]

Nice job.