Alpine Loop Silverton

The Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway is a rugged 4x4 road that winds through the spectacular scenery of the San Juan Mountains, connecting Lake City, Silverton, and Ouray. The Alpine Loop byway traverses passes up to 12,800 feet while showcasing old mines, ghost towns, natural wonders, beautiful wildflowers, and abundant wildlife.

The Alpine Loop Backway is a 65-mile mountain loop in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado that connects the towns of Silverton and Ouray with Lake City. The trail, which passes through San Juan National Forest , reaches an elevation of 12,800 feet as it passes through dramatic alpine tundra and old mining ghost towns from the 1880s, such as

The Alpine Loop leaves pavement and people behind, crossing the remote, rugged, spectacular heart of the San Juan Mountains. It's demandingthe two 12,000-foot passes Cinnamon and Engineer require a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle but the well-prepared motorist reaps unparalleled rewards pristine mountain views, hiking and

The Alpine Loop travels through a surreal landscape of treeless tundra, wildflower meadows and the San Juan Mountains passing over mining roads established in the late 1800s near Silverton, Ouray and Lake City.

Alpine Loop is a circular route that navigates through the high elevation Cinnamon Pass and Engineer Pass in the San Juan Mountains. It connects the towns of Silverton and Ouray with Lake City, where it is generally considered to begin and end.

The Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway is a network of four-wheel drive roads, open seasonally that connect Lake City, Ouray, and Silverton. It traverses passes up to 12,800 feet while showcasing old mines, ghost towns, natural wonders, beautiful wildflowers, and abundant wildlife.

A paper map, like National Geographic Trails, Illustrated 141, or pre-downloaded digital maps, as there is no cell service on the Alpine Loop, except in Lake City, Silverton, and Ouray. A satellite messenger, like a Spot or a Garmin InReach. Cell service is not available on the Alpine Loop, except in Lake City, Silverton, and Ouray.

The Alpine Loop covers 65 miles of roads between the towns of Lake City, Ouray and Silverton. Depending on winter snows, the loop opens in late May to early June and closes in late October. Historic interest include ghost towns, abandoned mining camps, and cabins that were built from the mid-1870s through the early 1900s.

The Alpine Loop is a 65-mile historic backcountry 4X4 route which connects the small mountain communities of Ouray, Silverton, and Lake City. You'll find remnants of the region's mining past across the landscape, telling the story of a bygone era in this rugged, often hostile environment.

When it comes to classic Colorado experiences, the Alpine Loop outside of Silverton is at the top of the list. This 73-mile 44 road traverses the San Juan Mountains, crossing 2 major passes and plenty of stunning scenery. I've always loved the San Juans West Slope Best Slope as the locals say. We opted to embark on a day-long adventure