Concho Pass to Engineer Pass — Alpine Loop Connector via Animas Forks Ghost Town
13,000 feet, mine ruins, and no guardrails.
Animas Forks sits at 11,200 feet in the San Juan Mountains and was a genuine silver boomtown in the 1880s. Today it’s a cluster of collapsed storefronts and timber frames, and the road climbing out of it toward Engineer Pass is where the Alpine Loop gets real. The track beyond Animas Forks steepens sharply on loose shale — no guardrails, exposure on the downhill side that makes your stomach tighten — before cresting Engineer Pass at 12,800 feet. From there the descent into Henson Creek drops through tundra and mining debris toward Lake City. The full connector from Concho Pass adds a western approach through Cinnamon Pass country, linking Ouray, Silverton, and Lake City into one brutal and beautiful circuit.
This is a genuine expert-level route. A capable short-wheelbase 4×4 with lockers, high-clearance, and experienced wheel placement is the minimum — the shelf road sections above Animas Forks are not the place to discover your rig’s limits. Snow lingers on the passes into July; run it July through September. No fuel or services between Silverton and Lake City. Permits not required but county road maintenance fees may apply. Cell service vanishes above Animas Forks. Come prepared to be self-sufficient, and you’ll drive one of the most storied mining-era routes in the American West.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 35 mi / 56.3 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 12800 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Short-wheelbase 4WD with lockers and high clearance |
| Nearest town | Lake City, CO |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service — Gunnison National Forest / Uncompahgre National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS — Alpine Loop Recreation Area Lake City Chamber — Alpine Loop info |
| 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 recommended. The switchbacks approaching Engineer and Cinnamon Passes have tight, off-camber turns that punish long wheelbases hard. Short-wheelbase rigs with lockers and genuine high clearance are the call here — this isn't a trail to size-test a crew-cab dually.
When does this route typically open and close each year?
July through September is the reliable window. Snow can block the passes well into June and return by October — sometimes earlier. Check with the USFS Gunnison office before you go, especially early or late season.
Do you need a permit to run the Alpine Loop?
No permit required as of now. It's USFS land — no fees, no reservation system. That said, regulations can change, so verify current rules at fs.usda.gov before you roll out.
What's the hardest section and what makes it sketchy?
The exposed switchbacks near Engineer Pass are the crux — loose shale, steep drop-offs, no guardrails, and shelf road sections barely wide enough for one vehicle. If you meet oncoming traffic up high, someone's backing up, and there's not much margin for error.
How far is it to the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there cell service on the route?
Lake City is the closest fuel stop — top off there before you head in. There is zero cell service for the entire 35-mile route, so download offline maps, have a paper backup, and carry a satellite communicator if you're going remote-serious.
Trail track
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