---
title: "Tourist in Kia Telluride Comes Dangerously Close to Tumbling Down Black Bear Pass, Forces Trail Closure"
date: "2025-10-02"
modified: "2025-10-02"
authors:
  - name: "Caleb Jacobs"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/caleb-jacobs"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/tourist-in-kia-telluride-comes-dangerously-close-to-tumbling-down-black-bear-pass-forces-trail-closure"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "Kia News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Kia"
  - "suv/crossover"
  - "Telluride"
---

# Tourist in Kia Telluride Comes Dangerously Close to Tumbling Down Black Bear Pass, Forces Trail Closure

![Kia Telluride](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Telluride-Pass-Hero-2.jpg>)
*\<em\>San Miguel County Sheriff's - Colorado\</em\>*

This happens every once in a while. Somebody in an ill-suited vehicle—or, heck, even a well-suited one—gets stuck on Colorado's treacherous Black Bear Pass that overlooks the city of Telluride. Ironically enough, this time, it wasn't [a Toyota 4Runner](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/sheriff-calls-out-complete-ass-clowns-who-got-stuck-on-closed-black-bear-pass>) or [a Ford Bronco Sport](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/42535/sheriff-warns-rookie-off-roaders-to-stay-off-black-bear-pass-after-another-nasty-crash>); it was a [Kia](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/kia-news>) *Telluride*. The trail is now closed until further notice, as the San Miguel County Sheriff's Office looks for someone who can tow the crossover away safely.

Photos [posted](<https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B7Q1ui1ch/>) by the local law enforcement agency show the Kia teetering on one of Black Bear Pass' many switchbacks. It's pretty high up on the trail, above Bridal Veil Falls, where there's a majestic view of the valley down below. A tourist from South Carolina was behind the wheel, and he reportedly drove up the one-way Black Bear Road despite several people warning him against it.

These photos do a decent job of showing the Kia's immediate surroundings:

![Kia Telluride](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/555842087_1223816229773987_71642.jpg>)

![Kia Telluride](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/556978186_1223816163107327_17590.jpg>)

![Kia Telluride](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/557504946_1223816259773984_77129.jpg>)

![Kia Telluride](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/556469069_1223816199773990_34447.jpg>)

![Kia Telluride](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/558886778_1223816256440651_59430.jpg>)

Meanwhile, this shot of [an earlier incident on Black Bear Pass](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/41567/now-this-is-what-you-dont-want>) shows what lies below:

![Ram HD](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ram-truck-flip-trail-final.jpg>)
**San Miguel County Sheriff's - Colorado* *via Facebook**

Black Bear Pass starts at 11,018 feet of elevation. For reference, Telluride officially sits at 8,754 feet above sea level. That means the elevation change is absolutely gnarly, and one wrong wheel placement can send you soaring. Undoubtedly, [the most tragic incident on the trail](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgOp9YDVpR8>) in recent years involved three fatalities when a tour guide and two passengers plunged downhill in a Jeep Wrangler.

I don't think anyone would object to the statement that this Kia driver is fortunate. It could have been so much worse, as it looks like a small weight shift could send the Telluride tumbling. I can only imagine how they felt as the car's driver's side looked straight down the drop.

Surprisingly, the sheriff's report made no mention of stained shorts.

*Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@thedrive.com*

## Author
Caleb Jacobs is The Drive’s senior editor. When he’s not searching for stories or poring over copy, he’s usually driving his dump truck or wishing it was running so he could drive it. He was born and raised in the Missouri Ozarks, and he lives there today with his family.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-jacobs-319323119>)  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/calebjwords>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/calebjacobs0611>)