Corkscrew Pass to Animas Forks — Silverton High Country Loop via Picayne Gulch
Ghost towns and 13k shelf roads above Silverton.
Drive out of Silverton on County Road 2 and the road starts climbing immediately, switchbacking up through the tundra toward Corkscrew Pass at 12,920 feet. Animas Forks ghost town sits at 11,200 feet at the upper end of the Animas River drainage — one of the highest surviving ghost towns in Colorado, with its iconic bay-window house still standing against the sky. The route threads Picayne Gulch on loose talus shelves barely wide enough for a full-size truck, with sheer drop-offs that demand focus. This is Alpine Loop territory, but the Corkscrew side sees far fewer rigs than Engineer or Cinnamon Passes, and the solitude at the top earns it.
This is genuine expert-level terrain — narrow shelf roads, loose rock, 13,000-foot exposure, and no guardrails. A modified short-wheelbase 4×4 with a locker and skid plates is the minimum; full-size trucks will struggle with the tighter switchbacks on Corkscrew. Run it July through September before afternoon thunderstorms build — they roll in fast above treeline. No permits required. Fuel in Silverton before you leave; there’s nothing out here. Dispersed camping near Animas Forks is primitive and popular — arrive early or push farther up Picayne to find space.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 12920 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified short-wheelbase 4x4 with lockers |
| Nearest town | Silverton, Colorado |
| Land manager | San Juan National Forest, Columbine Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Alpine Loop info Colorado Alpine Loop Byway |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner run this trail, or do I need lockers?
A stock Wrangler will struggle — a modified short-wheelbase 4x4 with lockers is the real minimum here. Picayne Gulch has narrow, off-camber shelf sections with loose rock where a locker is the difference between a sketchy recovery and a clean line. Long-wheelbase rigs like full-size trucks are not recommended.
When does this trail actually open, and can late-season snow catch you off guard?
July through September is the reliable window — Corkscrew Pass sits near 13,000 feet and holds snow well into June most years. September is stunning but afternoon thunderstorms are daily, and early snowfall can close the route overnight without warning. Check current conditions with the Columbine Ranger District before you go.
Do I need a permit or do I pay a fee to run this trail?
No permit or fee is required to drive the trail itself — it runs through San Juan National Forest on the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway, which is free and open to the public. If you're camping in dispersed sites, follow Leave No Trace and standard National Forest dispersed camping rules — no permit needed, 14-day stay limit.
What's the hardest section, and what exactly makes it dangerous?
Picayne Gulch is where this trail earns its expert rating — one-lane shelf road with crumbling edges, no guardrails, significant exposure, and loose rock that shifts under tires. At points the trail is barely wider than your rig with a serious drop on one side. If you're not comfortable committing to a line on exposed mountain shelves, turn around before you get there.
How far is the nearest gas station, and is there any water available on trail?
Silverton is your last fuel stop — fill up before you leave, as there's nothing on route and cell service is completely dead the entire 18 miles. There are stream crossings in the lower sections of the route where water is available, but filter everything at this altitude since mining activity in the San Juans has left heavy metal contamination in some drainages.
Trail track
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