Alpine Loop — Lake City to Ouray and Silverton via Engineer, Cinnamon, and Animas Forks
Three 13,000-ft passes. One legendary loop.
The Alpine Loop Scenic Byway is one of the most celebrated high-alpine 4×4 circuits in the American West — a 65-mile dirt and shelf-road loop connecting Lake City, Ouray, and Silverton via Engineer Pass (12,800 feet), Cinnamon Pass (12,620 feet), and the gutted ghost town of Animas Forks. In its heyday this was silver and gold country; today the crumbling mill buildings at Animas Forks and the collapsed headframes above Ouray are the landmarks. Engineer’s summit is a wide, intimidating shelf above exposed San Juan wilderness; Cinnamon’s descent into Silverton drops through talus fields and tight switchbacks that remind you why a locker matters. Between the two passes, the high basin is so remote and spectacular that most rigs camp at the top just to sit in it.
This is a legitimate high-clearance 4WD route — a stock lifted Jeep or equivalent handles it fine in dry summer conditions, but the exposure on Engineer’s shelf road is real and the trails are rougher than they look on paper. Runs best July through September; passes can hold snow into early July and storms can roll in fast above treeline any time. The BLM manages the main corridor; dispersed camping is widespread across the basin but fires are restricted. Fuel in Lake City or Ouray before you go — there’s nothing between them. The Alpine Loop is busy in August. Go early morning or late week to get the San Juans to yourself.
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 | 1-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 12800 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD, lockers recommended |
| Nearest town | Lake City, Colorado |
| Land manager | BLM Gunnison Field Office / USFS Gunnison National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Alpine Loop Scenic Byway page USFS Gunnison National Forest |
| 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 Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle the Alpine Loop, or do I need lockers?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can complete the loop in dry summer conditions, but lockers make a real difference on the loose rock and steep shelf roads near Engineer Pass. Lifted rigs with at least 33s will have a much easier time — stock bumpers are a liability on the tighter switchbacks.
When does the Alpine Loop typically open and close each year?
The loop is generally passable from early July through late September, but it depends entirely on snowpack — Engineer and Cinnamon passes can hold snow well into June and get hammered by early October storms. Check current road conditions with the BLM Gunnison Field Office before you go, not just the calendar.
Do I need a permit to drive the Alpine Loop or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the loop, and dispersed camping on BLM and USFS land is free with no reservation needed — standard 14-day stay limit applies. Stay off private mining claim areas, which are still actively enforced in spots around Animas Forks and Engineer.
What's the hardest section of the loop and what should I actually expect?
Engineer Pass on the Lake City side throws the gnarliest combination at you — loose shale, off-camber ledges, and narrow shelf road with serious exposure. It's not a place to find out your rig has brake fade or that your spotter needs coaching; have your recovery gear accessible before you start climbing, not buried under camp gear.
There's no cell service on the loop — what's the closest place to fuel up, and how far between towns?
Lake City, Ouray, and Silverton are your fuel and resupply points — each is roughly 30–40 miles from the high passes, but driving miles don't mean fast miles out here. Fill up completely in whichever town you start from, carry a fuel can if your rig drinks premium on climbs, and know that AAA isn't coming if something goes sideways at 12,000 feet.
Trail track
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