Driving the Alpine Loop Through Colorado

It's an adventure worth pursuing for an amazing experience in the mountains. Along the seven-hour loop, you will travel through thrilling mountain passes at 12,000 feet above sea level in a spectacular landscape that is a photographer's dream.

Many visitors begin the trip at Ouray, affectionately known as the "Switzerland of America," where you can relax in its famous hot springs and breathe in the crisp mountain air before continuing your journey. Along the way, there are ghost towns and Native American history to explore, hiking and camping opportunities, and charming Victorian inns and eateries in Lake City and Silverton.

The Mountain Passes

The Alpine Loop takes you through the surreal landscape of the Colorado Plateau region and the San Juan mountain range, navigating through two notable mountain passes offering majestic views. Engineer Pass, to the north, stands 12,000 feet high and provides a clear view of the Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn Peak. Both summits exceed 14,000 feet. On the more southern route, Cinnamon Pass also is at 12,000 feet, and provides views of some of the nation's highest mountains — the Handies, Sunshine, and Redcloud Peaks.

The Region's History

The towns that form the loop were originally populated by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, who were initially drawn to the hot springs and abundant wildlife. Frontiersmen came in the 1860s to mine silver and gold. The loop was originally carved out by wagons to transport ore and supplies. You can imagine the stage coaches and freighters barreling down the roads in the hopes of creating new fortune. The boom and bust of fortunes, as well as deep snow, drove many of those pioneers away.

The people who remained, and those who live in the area today, include many nature lovers who deeply appreciate the areas’ pristine evergreen forests, gorgeous fall foliage, and craggy granite cliffs. If you have the transportation to tackle it, the Alpine Loop will take you through an area of nature's perfection.

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Snowed-in at Animas Forks

Traveling primarily through backcountry, the route passes through numerous ghost towns, but one that has earned a unique reputation is Animas Forks, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The town first became populated in 1873, and within a decade there were nearly 500 people living there. A huge snowstorm in 1884 lasted 23 days and dumped 25 feet of snow. Still, residents persevered until the mills shut down in 1910 and most left.

Another historic mining camp, located near Carson, is considered one of the best preserved in the state. An additional relic of those days is the Rose Lime Kiln, located near Lake City and standing at 44 feet in height, once used to heat limestone rock. In Silverton, stop at the San Juan County Historical Society to view an old jail on display from the late 1800s, along with full sized wagons, mining cars, and many other artifacts.

Camera-Ready Points of Interest

About a mile east of Cinnamon Pass, you can stop to take photographs at the American Basin, known for its astonishing show of wildflowers in July. Another place for a unique panoramic photograph of wilderness is Mineral Point, located just south of the summit of Engineer Pass.

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Hiking and Camping

The Alpine Loop offers many locations for hiking and camping, whether for beginners or experienced back-packers. Near Ouray, the trail to Box Canyon Falls is an easy hike with amazing views. The Ouray Perimeter Trail is beloved by hikers and runners for its waterfalls and wildlife. Get trail maps at the Ouray Visitor's Center. The hikes on Ice Lakes Trail in Silverton are also known to astonish visitors.

Inns and Eateries

After taking a stroll around the quaint downtown of Ouray, spend the night at the historic Hotel Ouray, dating from 1893, or the Historic Western Hotel, to enjoy period touches that fill you with the frontier spirit. In Lake City, The North Face Lodge is not historic but does offer great views of the mountains.

A must-visit in Silverton is the Grand Imperial Hotel, dating from 1882, with its Grand Restaurant and Saloon serving American food in a historic and fun setting.

Driving the Alpine Loop trail in Colorado will give you unsurpassed views of some of the most dramatic and exciting scenery in the Rocky Mountains. Do not miss this opportunity to experience a unique road trip.

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