Alpine Loop — Cinnamon Pass to Engineer Pass via Animas Forks Ghost Town
Two 12,000-ft passes, one ghost town, zero guardrails.
The Alpine Loop is a 65-mile backcountry byway linking Lake City and Silverton through the heart of the San Juan Mountains, and the Cinnamon Pass to Engineer Pass traverse via Animas Forks is its spine. Cinnamon (12,640 ft) is the easier of the two crossings — loose scree and switchbacks, but manageable width. Animas Forks itself is one of Colorado’s best-preserved ghost towns, a cluster of weathered timber structures at 11,200 ft where silver miners once tried to winter in one of the harshest climates in the lower 48. Engineer Pass (12,800 ft) is the gut-check: narrow shelf road, steep exposure on the west face, and a view across the Uncompahgre Plateau that makes you forget briefly that the outside rear wheel has maybe 18 inches of margin.
This is a Difficult to Expert trail depending on conditions and your rig’s wheelbase. A stock high-clearance 4WD with low-range can run Cinnamon in good conditions, but Engineer’s shelf sections and the rocky descent toward Ouray want a lifted rig with skids, lockers helpful. The loop is typically open late June through October — check with USFS Lake Fork Ranger District before committing; snowpack can close passes into July. No permit required. Fuel up in Lake City or Silverton; there’s nothing in between. Dispersed camping is allowed on BLM and USFS land throughout. If you do it in one direction, Silverton to Lake City gives you Engineer descending — scarier but more manageable than climbing the west face.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Scenic Drive, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 65 mi / 104.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 12800 ft |
| Best season | Late June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with low-range |
| Nearest town | Lake City, Colorado |
| Land manager | USFS Gunnison National Forest / BLM Gunnison Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway BLM Alpine Loop Byway |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run the Alpine Loop, or do I need a built rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with low-range can complete it, but you'll earn every mile — rocks, shelf roads, and loose scree on both passes will punish low skid plates and soft sidewalls. All-terrain tires and a full-size spare are non-negotiable. A lift helps but isn't required if you're comfortable and slow.
When does the Alpine Loop actually open, and can snow close it mid-summer?
Late June is typical for full opening, but Cinnamon and Engineer passes can hold snow into July in heavy snow years. July and August are the sweet spot. Afternoon thunderstorms are daily above treeline from mid-July onward — get over the passes by noon.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to drive the Alpine Loop?
No permit required and no entry fee as of now — it's managed jointly by USFS and BLM as a backcountry byway and is free to drive. Some designated campgrounds along the route charge a nightly fee; dispersed camping outside those areas is free.
What's the hardest section on the loop and what makes it serious?
Engineer Pass on the Ouray side has the steepest, narrowest shelf road on the entire loop — one lane, loose rock, significant drop-offs, and no guardrails. If you meet oncoming traffic, someone is backing up a long way. Cinnamon is more forgiving but still demands respect at altitude.
Is there any place to get gas or water on the loop itself, or do I need to self-support completely?
There is no gas, water, or services anywhere on the loop — plan on full self-support. Top off in Lake City before you leave and carry more water than you think you need; the 65-mile route can stretch to a full day or more with mechanicals or weather. Cell service is nonexistent the entire way.
Trail track
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