Slumgullion Pass to Silverton — Alpine Loop High Spine via Cinnamon and Engineer Passes
Two 12,000-foot passes. Ghost towns. Real exposure.
The Alpine Loop Scenic Byway is 65 miles of genuine high-country 4×4 running through what was once the most productive silver mining region in North America. Starting from Lake City, the standard loop climbs Cinnamon Pass (12,640 ft) via the American Basin switchbacks — a shelf road cut into loose shale above the treeline — drops into Animas Forks ghost town, and then hammers back over Engineer Pass (12,800 ft) to return to Lake City via Henson Creek. Both passes are above timberline, fully exposed, and frequently covered in afternoon thunderstorm lightning by 2 PM in summer. Animas Forks itself is a genuine 1880s mining ghost town, intact enough to warrant an hour on foot before the next climb.
Cinnamon is Moderate 4×4 — stock high-clearance trucks with skid plates handle it fine in dry conditions. Engineer runs harder, with loose rock, narrow shelves, and a few ledge moves that will stress stock suspension. Snow can close both passes through late June; conditions deteriorate fast after mid-September. No permit is required. Dispersed camping is legal along Henson Creek and American Basin — one of Colorado’s genuinely beautiful high camps. Lake City is your fuel and supply base; Silverton offers the same on the west side. Cell service disappears entirely above the valley floors. This loop gets busy on summer weekends — go mid-week or early season and you’ll have the passes mostly to yourself.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Scenic Drive, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 65 mi / 104.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 12800 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock high-clearance 4WD with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Lake City, Colorado |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service — Gunnison National Forest / BLM Gunnison Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Alpine Loop Scenic Byway page BLM Alpine Loop Scenic 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 Cinnamon and Engineer Passes, or do I need a built rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with skid plates can make it, but low-range and solid skid plate coverage are non-negotiable. The loose talus shelf roads on the upper sections of both passes will punish anything with soft underbelly protection. Lifted or modified rigs will have a noticeably easier time on the steeper, rockier pitches.
When does this route actually open each year, and is snow a real concern?
July through September is the reliable window — both passes can hold snow into late June and get hit again by mid-October. Check with the Gunnison National Forest office before any shoulder-season run, because a late spring or early fall storm can close these passes fast and leave you committed with no easy bailout.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to drive the Alpine Loop?
No permit or entry fee is required to drive the Alpine Loop. It crosses USFS and BLM land, both of which keep it free and open. Some established campgrounds in the area charge a fee, but dispersed camping along the route is free.
What's actually the hardest section on this route — where should I be paying close attention?
The upper shelf road on Engineer Pass is the purest pucker moment — narrow, loose, significant exposure on the downhill side, with limited room to pass oncoming traffic. Cinnamon Pass is more forgiving but the descent into Animas Forks throws chunky rock at your undercarriage. Neither will forgive distracted driving.
Is there any water I can filter along the route, and how far is the gas gap between Lake City and Silverton?
There are stream crossings and alpine water sources along the route, so a filter or purifier will keep you topped up. Gas is the bigger concern — Lake City and Silverton are roughly 65 miles apart with nothing in between, so start full and carry a spare jug if your rig has a thirsty engine or you're running a long wheelbase with a heavy load.
Trail track
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