Cinnamon Pass Road
High-altitude shelf road through mining history
At 12,640 feet, Cinnamon Pass sits as one of Colorado’s highest vehicular passes, connecting Lake City with Silverton through some of the San Juan Mountains’ most unforgiving terrain. This 19-mile shelf road follows the old mining routes past the ruins of Carson City, where silver miners once braved these same alpine conditions year-round. The pass itself is a narrow saddle with thousand-foot dropoffs, and the descent toward Animas Forks tests both nerve and brakes on loose switchbacks carved into near-vertical mountainsides.
This is serious high-altitude driving that demands experience and preparation. Stock high-clearance 4WD is the minimum, but the thin air, sudden weather changes, and exposure make this expert territory. Only attempt between July and September when snow clears — and carry chains even then. No services exist between towns, so fuel up and pack emergency gear. The payoff is pure Colorado mining history and alpine scenery that’ll leave you speechless, assuming the altitude doesn’t beat you to it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 19 mi / 30.6 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 12640 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Lake City, Colorado |
| Land manager | US Forest Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner run Cinnamon Pass without modifications?
A stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle can handle it, but you want decent ground clearance and low-range gearing — this is not a trail for stock crossovers or 2WD. Aired-down tires and a skid plate are strong recommendations on the rocky shelf sections.
When does Cinnamon Pass Road actually open in the spring, and when does it close?
Typically open July through September — snowpack at 12,640 feet can linger well into June, and early fall storms can shut it down fast. Check with the Gunnison National Forest before heading out; the dates shift year to year based on winter snowpack.
Do you need a permit or pay any fees to drive Cinnamon Pass?
No permit required and no fee to drive the pass itself — it's managed by the US Forest Service as a public road. If you're camping dispersed along the route, follow standard USFS Leave No Trace rules and stay at least 200 feet from water sources.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what makes it serious?
The shelf road switchbacks approaching the pass summit are the crux — narrow, exposed, and loose in spots with significant drop-offs and no guardrails. Meeting oncoming traffic on those sections requires one vehicle to back up, sometimes a significant distance, so go early to beat afternoon traffic and thunderstorms.
How far is it between gas stops, and is there any cell service on the route?
Zero cell service the entire 19-mile route between Lake City and Silverton — plan accordingly and carry a satellite communicator. Fill your tank in Lake City or Silverton before you go; there's nothing in between, and the combined drive plus side trips can add up fast.
Trail track
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