At a Glance
- Total Length: ~65 miles
- Duration: Full day (8–12 hours)
- Passes: Engineer & Cinnamon (12,800+ ft)
- Ghost Town: Animas Forks
- Season: Late June – September
- Start/End: Ouray (also Silverton, Lake City)
The Definitive San Juan Experience
The Alpine Loop is a 65-mile 4WD circuit designated a National Backcountry Byway, connecting Ouray, Silverton, and Lake City through the highest and most dramatic terrain in the San Juan Mountains. The route crosses Engineer Pass (12,800 ft) from the Ouray side and Cinnamon Pass (12,620 ft) from the Lake City side, with the ghost town of Animas Forks (population: zero) at the circuit's center.
Animas Forks was a mining community of nearly 500 people at 11,200 feet — abandoned in the early 20th century when the mines played out and the railroad rerouted. The buildings stand remarkably intact, frozen in time with their Victorian-era architecture still readable. It's one of the best-preserved ghost towns in Colorado.
Planning the Full Loop
Most people do the Alpine Loop as a full-day drive, starting in Ouray, crossing Engineer Pass, passing through Animas Forks, descending to Silverton for lunch, and returning via a different route or continuing to Lake City. The full circuit requires a capable 4WD vehicle and a full day — plan for 8–12 hours depending on how many stops you make.
From The Lumberyard, the Engineer Pass road access begins at the south edge of Ouray. No highway driving needed to reach the loop. This proximity makes Ouray the natural base for an Alpine Loop day — park the vehicle, cook breakfast in the condo, load the gear, and drive straight up into the high country.