Alpine Loop

The Alpine Loop links three historic mining towns—Lake City, Silverton, and Ouray—across 65 miles of high-altitude shelf roads that hang above timberline in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. Engineer Pass tops out at 12,800 feet with views stretching to four 14ers, while Cinnamon Pass crosses at 12,640 feet past abandoned mine workings and rusted machinery. The route passes through Animas Forks ghost town, where weathered buildings still stand against the alpine wind, and crosses American Basin where columbines carpet the tundra in July.

This is moderate 4×4 terrain with serious exposure—narrow shelf roads with thousand-foot dropoffs and no guardrails. Stock high-clearance 4WD handles it fine in good weather, but afternoon thunderstorms above treeline turn deadly fast. Best tackled July through September when snow clears the passes. No permits required. Fuel up in each town; it’s a long way between gas stations. Dispersed camping available but limited above treeline. You’ll get postcard views, mining history, and a healthy respect for Colorado’s high country exposure. This loop shows you why the San Juans remain the crown jewel of Rocky Mountain 4-wheeling.