Cinnamon Pass Road — Lake City to Silverton via the Alpine Loop High Country
12,620 feet of ghost town and tundra.
Cinnamon Pass sits at 12,620 feet and connects Lake City to the Animas Forks ghost town above Silverton via some of the most dramatic above-timberline terrain the San Juans throw at a driver. You follow Henson Creek west out of Lake City before the road climbs steeply through willows and tundra to the pass summit, where the panorama opens up across the entire upper Uncompahgre watershed. The descent drops you into the American Flats — a broad, exposed alpine shelf — before threading past the collapsed mill structures and caved-in cabins at Animas Forks. From there it’s a straightforward run down the Animas River canyon into Silverton. The road is rocky, rutted, and narrow in the upper sections, with several exposed ledges that demand attention.
This is a solid intermediate-level alpine route — it’s not the gnarliest in the San Juans, but it earns its stripes. A short-wheelbase, high-clearance 4×4 is the right tool; long-bed trucks will struggle on upper switchbacks. Snow lingers on the pass well into July and can return by September, so the window is tight: mid-July through mid-September is your sweet spot. No permit required, but the road sees heavy weekend traffic in peak summer. Fuel in Lake City before you leave. Multiple dispersed sites exist along Henson Creek.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 19 mi / 30.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 12620 ft |
| Best season | Mid-July to Mid-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Short-wheelbase high-clearance 4x4 |
| Nearest town | Lake City, CO |
| Land manager | BLM Gunnison Field Office / USDA Forest Service Gunnison National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Alpine Loop page 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 Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle Cinnamon Pass Road, or does it need a lift?
A stock short-wheelbase 4x4 with high clearance can run Cinnamon Pass — no lift required, but lockers or a limited-slip rear help on the loose, steep switchbacks near the summit. Long-wheelbase rigs and 2WD vehicles don't belong here. Airing down to 20-25 PSI before the rocky sections is mandatory, not optional.
When does Cinnamon Pass Road typically open and close for the season?
Mid-July to mid-September is the reliable window — snowpack at 12,600 feet lingers well into summer and can return fast in early fall. Early-season conditions can include snow, ice, and soft mud even in July. Check with the BLM Gunnison Field Office or USFS before heading out if you're going before late July.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to drive Cinnamon Pass Road?
No permit is required and there's no fee to drive the Alpine Loop. Dispersed camping is free on BLM and National Forest land, but follow Leave No Trace — established sites fill fast on summer weekends and enforcement of fire restrictions is active. Check current fire restrictions before you go.
What's actually hard about this trail — where do most rigs have trouble?
The west side descent toward Animas Forks is steeper, looser, and more exposed than the climb from Lake City. The switchbacks near the summit involve off-camber shelf road with significant drop-offs and no guardrails — one wrong move is a serious consequence. Wet or recent-rain conditions make the clay-mixed sections significantly more treacherous.
Is there any gas or services between Lake City and Silverton on this route?
Zero. There is no gas, no cell service, no services of any kind between Lake City and Silverton along Cinnamon Pass — 19 miles of remote high-country with no bailout options. Fill your tank completely in Lake City before you leave, carry a recovery kit and a spare tire, and tell someone your plan and expected arrival time.
Trail track
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