Alpine Loop

Engineer Pass is well known as part of the iconic Alpine Loop trail network in the high San Juan Mountains. Many roads criss-crossing over the peaks were established during the late 1800s to support mining operations seeking gold, silver, lead, and other ore deposits. These trails provided lifelines to transport ore, people, and supplies between the mines and the nearby towns of Silverton, Ouray, and Lake City.

Those looking to have a quintessential Colorado weekend adventure can complete the Alpine Loop, leaving Lake City via Cinnamon Pass and connecting to Engineer Pass Road in the area of the Animas Forks ghost town. Easily extend the adventure by connecting to iconic trails like California Pass, Picayne, Placer Gulch, and more. Regardless of where you start Engineer Pass, opportunities are plentiful to test your skills, explore the backcountry of Colorado, and even touch the skies at mountain summits along the way.

The San Juan Mountain Range is full of mining history and ruins. Some are marked clearly, while others are not. The BLM has worked with local historical societies to restore structures and make them safe to enter. These are typically well-marked with informational signage and placards. Many mining sites have been left to the elements and should be appreciated from afar as they are no longer structurally sound.

If you are looking for epic scenery, you'll find spots all along the trail worth stopping for. Odem Point and the official summit have breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, including the Uncompahgre, Coxcomb, Wetterhorn, and Wildhorse mountain peaks. The view is so expansive at Oh (Odem) Point that on a very clear day, you might see all the way to Utah if you turn your eyes to the west. Whitmore Falls Scenic Overlook at Waypoint 14 offers a beautiful waterfall after a short hike down a well-marked footpath.

This trail is easily traversable by a stock 4WD and can be enjoyed by all drivers, from the beginner to the experienced, with something for the whole family. While this trail isn't rough, it is a proper offroad trail and will test your fortitude with high-altitude shelf roads subject to quick weather changes.

Jeep® Owners: Engineer Pass Road is a Badge of Honor trail. Visit the Jeep® Badge of Honor mobile app to check in on the trail and earn your official badge.

Winding through the spectacular scenery of the San Juan Mountains, Cinnamon Pass is the southern half of the world-renowned Alpine Loop Scenic Byway. This trail, just outside of Lake City, Colorado, showcases ghost towns and mines from the 1880s while providing epic scenic overlooks and stunningly beautiful wildflowers along the drive. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned offroad veteran, this trail will easily have a hypnotizing effect on you, and you will find yourself stopping often to take pictures.

Traveled primarily for its technicality rather than its mining history, this 4WD trail has long been considered the hardest in the Ouray, Silverton, and Lake City areas. Although challenging, this jeep trail offers spectacular views along the way as it parallels the Uncompahgre River to its source at the jaw-dropping blue water of Lake Como. Poughkeepsie Gulch is often run for its access to "The Wall," a challenging but optional offshoot to a group of embedded rocks with numerous lines to challenge even built rigs. Camping is also a popular attraction to this trail, as there are several dispersed sites lining the trail in the first few miles. Whether you are here for the thrill or the scenery, this trail will not disappoint.

Corkscrew Pass, located between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado, is one of the more significant four-wheel-drive roads that people from all over the world want to drive, and for good reasons. Most notable is the contrast of colors viewed while driving the trail and the "up-close-to-it" experience in the area. The vibrant rust and reddish mountains contrasted by the dark greens, blues, and bright whites make you want to stop and take it in. There is ample opportunity to find dispersed camping as a basecamp or just a one-night stop while you overland across the San Juan Mountains. All this while giving you a dose of shelf road and switchbacks leading to icy cold glacial ponds filled with Old Man Winter's snow melt. It is perfect for those looking to try shelf roads for the first time and, indeed, anyone who is looking for a stimulating burst of color experience.

Located just south of the mountain town of Ouray, Mineral Creek is the go-to for those wanting to start the famous Alpine Loop from west to east. Mineral Creek provides access to both Poughkeepsie Gulch and Engineer Pass, but it comes at a price with multiple rock obstacles that will have you pausing to pick a line and narrow sections where caution should be taken in case of oncoming traffic.

The payoff of Mineral Creek begins quickly as you climb 1,500 feet in just the first 2.5 miles with a picturesque shelf road section, historical point-of-interest at the Michael Breen Mine remnants, stream crossing, and multiple camping opportunities. History buffs will enjoy continuing down Mineral Creek as you're presented with two more historic mining areas. Be sure to have your camera ready!

Mineral Creek will leave even experienced offroaders with a sense of accomplishment while giving the whole family plenty of opportunities to stretch their legs and explore.

California Pass is a historic four-wheel-drive road near Silverton, Colorado. It began with a purpose - to find and transport gold. Today, it is a pleasurable route offering scenic vistas of the San Juan Mountains with abundant, deeply rich, and colorful wildflowers. From the top of California Pass at 12,963 feet, look northwest for a fantastic view of the shimmering aquamarine Lake Como. The eastern side of California Pass offers glimpses of one of the most booming mining areas Colorado had to offer in the late 1800s, with the well-preserved ghost town of Animas Forks and the Frisco Mill. It is a perfect trail to combine with so many other trails that southwestern Colorado is known for and for anyone looking to get comfortable driving on shelf roads for the first time.

San Juan County Road 2 is a historic and scenic route in the San Juan Mountains above the charming mining town of Silverton, Colorado. The picturesque road takes you through stunning and rugged terrain en route to the well-preserved ghost town of Animas Forks. Prepare to immerse yourself in towering mountain peaks and lush alpine meadows and journey back in time to a once bustling hub of mining activity. San Juan County Road 2 is a unique and rewarding adventure for those who appreciate history and the great outdoors.

Hurricane Pass is a unique trail in the San Juan Mountains above the timberline. High alpine animals are frequently spotted, bringing another feature to attract users to this beautiful area. Climbing steeply up the mountain between Hurricane Peak and Brown Mountain, this mildly technical yet intriguing trail is a common addition to form one of the many takes on the Alpine Loop. Combine this trail with County Road 2, California Pass, and either Corkscrew Pass or County Road 10 to create an epic day-long adventure.

Picayne and Placer Gulch is a gorgeous route offering scenic vistas of the San Juan Mountains and traverses an area rich with mining history. This area is alive with vivid wildflowers in the peak season of late July/early August, painting a colorful pattern across the green alpine meadows and towering stone peaks. The Sound Democrat Mill is one of the best-preserved mine structures in Colorado. Restored by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for visitors to tour, it still possesses all of its machinery in place, from the stamp batteries to Wilfley tables. This lets visitors see how precious minerals were processed from the raw ore that entered the mill.

Minnehaha Basin is an extremely scenic in-and-out trail that provides epic vista views like many others in the Silverton area. Mining history along the road is very prevalent, and this is the only trail in the area that allows you to look down on the Gold King Mine, the epicenter of the 2015 EPA wastewater disaster. This road has three branches making for a fun-filled day of exploring.

In the early summer, Eureka Gulch's four-wheel-drive road just outside Silverton, Colorado, could be likened to a make-believe land where Ireland meets Switzerland. Dark emerald green grasses with yellow wildflowers combine with jagged mountain peaks and old wooden structures jutting from its edges to create a memorable landscape. On the drive up towards Lake Emma and the infamous Sunnyside Mine, ribbons of rushing whitewater flow down the gulch. While we drive this road today for enjoyment, it was once a mining road. The mine operated from roughly 1874 to 1978. The miners had drilled tunnels under Lake Emma, and on June 4th, 1978, a Sunday, tragedy struck. The tunnels could no longer hold the weight of the lake. Lake Emma burst through, and the entire lake drained into the mine tunnels. Luckily, Sunday was the only day of the week the mine was shut down. Eureka Gulch is the perfect road for those looking for an enjoyable but tame adventure for the entire family.

Hidden in plain sight and rarely visited, the Mogul Mine is an incredibly scenic backcountry road in one of the most popular areas of Colorado. Overshadowed by the more popular Corkscrew Pass and Hurricane Pass It follows the eastern side of Cement Creek from the Gladstone area, up towards Ross Basin. The Mogul Mine was known for silver, gold, and lead. The structures of the mine are slowly returning to the earth, but equipment remains to be seen for curios and history buffs.

Only 10 minutes from Silverton, Cunningham Gulch is a popular camping, hiking, and fishing trail that follows Cunningham Creek past many old mines and cascading waterfalls to the bottom of Spencer Basin. This trail offers stunning high alpine valley views and is rich with mining history. This fantastic backcountry trail is one of the quickest ways to access the Continental Divide Trail and incredible fishing at Highland Mary Lakes.

Maggie Gulch is a relatively short dead-end trail with very similar scenery and mining history to the area's larger, more well-known trails. Being a dead-end trail, Maggie Gulch does not share the tourist traffic of those other trails. This creates a relaxing journey.

The imposing 13,278-foot Mount Galena looms overhead to the south. Snow is often present late into the summer and never fully melts in a few areas. Maggie Gulch ends at the well-preserved Intersection Mill. Built in the late 1890s, the Intersection Mill is one of the few in the San Juan mountains with its stamps still standing. The boiler and winches can also be seen. Many of the mills in this area were stripped of their iron workings during a scrap metal boom around World War 2. Finding a mill with these workings still intact is truly a unique sight.

The San Juan mining district produced over $65 million in ores between 1882 and 1918. The hills surrounding Silverton are dotted with hundreds of mines created by prospectors hunting for their fortunes. Prospector Gulch is a hard reminder of the difficulties miners faced. A plethora of mining operations scatter the landscape here with tailings galore, abandoned equipment, and buildings left only to rot in the harsh environment. With serene beauty and spectacular views, it's a surprise this trail is not more widely used.

This optional obstacle off of Poughkeepsie Gulch is an absolute backbreaker. Ill-equipped vehicles are often forced to winch or stack rocks to conquer this brutal rock wall. The multiple lines across the face require good suspension articulation. This obstacle can be impossible in wet conditions. Several winch anchors are scattered along the top for those requiring a little help. With a large parking area at the base, this is an excellent opportunity to snag lunch and watch vehicles take on different lines.

Located along the eastern edge of the Uncompahgre National Forest, this in-and-out trail near the Vernon Mine provides spectacular views of Red Mountain #1 and gives you a real sense of serenity to an area that is otherwise bustling with 4wheel drive vehicles. This trail might not be great if you are looking for wildflowers, but the colors from the nearby hills and the transitions to blue skies will leave you speechless.

South of Silverton lies Kendall Mountain, a 13,000-plus peak casting a shadow over the valley. Kendall Mountain trail winds up the western slope, stopping shy of the jagged, barren peak. Titusville and Kendall Group Mines are found along this narrow shelf road before reaching the radio tower. Once at the tower, park and walk the remainder of the trail, as there is virtually no room to turn a vehicle around at the end. Views of Silverton are quite impressive, especially on a clear day when you can see all of the colorful hills that surround this mountain town. Camping was available in dispersed sites along the first mile or two of the trail. If heights or narrow shelf roads aren't your thing, this may not be the trail for you.

Typically overshadowed by the popularity of Engineer Pass and other San Juan trails, Nellie Creek is one of the lesser-known trails off the Alpine Loop. This trail offers superb dispersed camping and provides access to one of Colorado's 58 14'ers, the 14321-foot Uncompaghre Peak. Its proximity to the wilderness boundary makes this an excellent trail for viewing wildlife, including deer, moose, and all of the famous wildflowers that high-country Colorado is known for. If you are looking for secluded camping off the Alpine Loop or want to get out and explore the Uncompaghre Wilderness on foot, don't miss Nellie Creek.

The trail to the Golconda Mine and Boarding House is a fun, moderate side trip off of Engineer Pass to excellently preserved mining ruins. It follows County Road 21 up what is a rocky but reasonably wide shelf road to the head of Hurricane Basin, to the Golconda Mine Complex. While the road continues a short distance further up a rougher section of loose shale to a dead end with good views above the main mine complex, a turn-off to the left takes you to the site of the Golconda Mine's blacksmith/compressor house and boarding house.

Originally built in 1920, both structures were restored and partially reconstructed in 2014 by the BLM and Hinsdale County and are now among the best-preserved examples of historic mining buildings in the San Juans. The boarding house is especially interesting, as it has multiple large rooms to explore or look into on two different floors as well as furniture, including bed springs and tables.

The scenery on the trail is first-rate, and the road should be passable to stock SUVs. There is only one small campsite right off the trail that didn't look very level, so this trail is not recommended for camping.

American Basin Road spurs off Cinnamon Pass and makes a short climb up along the Handies Peak Wilderness Study Area to its end at the American Basin Trailhead. Those looking for a place to camp are treated to a handful of stellar spots, all with views of American Peak and Handies Peak. Although the trail may be busy with hiking traffic, this is still a worthwhile trek when you're in the area. The area is renowned for its wildflowers in late summer.

Cottonwood Creek Road is an out-and-back trail following Cottonwood Creek up through the Handies Peak Wilderness Study Area with access to dispersed campsites and two trailheads. Cataract Gulch Trailhead is located just 1.3 miles into the trail, and the Cuba Gulch Trailhead is found at the very end. Dispersed campsites are scattered along the trail with one featuring a vintage truck cab and others overlooking Cottonwood Creek, where it has carved down the rock. Although the beginning of the road is well-maintained after the first mile and a half, the surface becomes rougher with short climbs. This trail is a great spur for those trying to find camping off the busy Cinnamon Pass.

Climbing up its namesake gulch, the Arrastra Gulch offroad trail is a narrow shelf adventure with plenty to see. No significant obstacles block this trail, but its steep grade on a loose talus shelf warrants a confident driver and a vehicle with a low-range transfer case. Cable towers and carts sit above your head, giving a glimpse into the past of how they once transferred the minerals from clear up top in the gulch down into the valley.

Mineral Point Townsite, a short loop just off Mineral Creek, is filled with history. The trail climbs up to remnants of the San Juan Chief and British Queen Mines. The entire area was once a mining hotbed with as many as ten operating mines. At least one spacious campsite is available on this trail and can be accessed by stock 4WD vehicles.

County Road 26 is a short out-and-back spur off of County Road 2. The trailhead is relatively hidden in plain sight due to stream rubble, but the road is easily managed by any high-clearance vehicle. It provides four designated camping sites, each able to hold two vehicles, with the largest one at the end able to handle up to four vehicles. The campsites only have a fire ring and no other amenities.