Ouray to Engineer Pass — Alpine Loop San Juan High Road via Animas Forks Ghost Town
Two 12,000-ft passes. One ghost town. Zero guardrails.
The Alpine Loop is Colorado’s most concentrated dose of high-country suffering and beauty. Out of Ouray, you climb through switchbacks above the Uncompahgre Gorge, pass the rusted hulks of Animas Forks — a silver-boom ghost town frozen at 11,200 feet — and then grind up Engineer Pass to 12,800 feet where the tundra drops away in every direction. The shelf road sections above Animas Forks are narrow enough that a full-size truck will have your heart rate up, and the loose talus on the final push to the pass punishes under-aired tires. This is a loop, so most rigs also tackle Cinnamon Pass on the return, adding another 12,620-foot crossing to the day.
Minimum bar is a capable, short-wheelbase 4WD with solid ground clearance and a locker — a stock Tacoma or Wrangler is fine, a long-wheelbase truck is going to sweat the switchbacks. Tires aired down to 18–20 psi and a full-size spare are non-negotiable. Snow can close both passes through June and arrives again by late September — July through mid-September is the window. Lake City, Silverton, and Ouray all have fuel; no services in between. No permit required on the USFS roads, dispersed camping is abundant. Cell service is nonexistent above the trailheads.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | 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 | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Short-wheelbase 4WD, high clearance, lockers recommended |
| Nearest town | Ouray, CO |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service — Gunnison and Uncompahgre National Forests |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| 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 long-wheelbase truck like a full-size F-250 run this trail?
Not advisably. The switchbacks above Animas Forks on the Engineer Pass climb are extremely tight and were cut for short-wheelbase vehicles. A long-wheelbase truck will struggle badly or get stuck on the switchbacks — short-wheelbase rigs under 100 inches are the practical limit here.
When does Engineer Pass typically open and close each year?
Most years the pass opens mid-July once snowpack clears and closes by mid-October, sometimes earlier after early fall storms. July through September is your window — don't count on it before July 4th, and always check current conditions with the Ouray Ranger District before you go.
Do you need a permit or pay any fees to drive the Alpine Loop?
No permit is required and there's no fee to drive the Alpine Loop itself. You're on USDA Forest Service land in the Gunnison and Uncompahgre National Forests — just follow Leave No Trace and stay on designated routes.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it dangerous?
The switchbacks climbing out of Animas Forks toward Engineer Pass are the crux — narrow shelf road, loose rock, near-vertical drop-offs, and zero guardrails at over 12,000 feet. Add afternoon thunderstorms that roll in fast and turn rock surfaces slick, and this stretch has claimed vehicles. Take it slow, don't rush through for the view, and get an early start to beat the lightning.
Is there any reliable water or gas between Ouray and the end of the trail near Lake City?
Fill up in Ouray before you leave — there's no gas on the trail and the route runs remote for the full 65 miles. Water crossings exist on the route but they're not treated sources, so carry what you need or have filtration ready. Lake City on the east end has gas and resupply when you come out.
Trail track
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