High Altitude Adventure on the Alpine Loop

Published on Dec 10, 2008

Nestled deep in the San Juan Mountains, the Alpine Loop Back Country Byway is an expedition in and of itself. Far from the hassles and routine of the outside world, the Alpine Loop traverses 65 miles of Colorado’s remarkable mountain terrain. Enter a world of towering pine trees, glistening lakes, and fresh mountain air-- a combination guaranteed to bring out your inner explorer.

One of the Bureau of Land Management’s first backcountry byways, the Alpine Loop follows a historic route originally used by miners who hauled ore and supplies through the mountains in the late 1800s. Follow their tracks today on a four-wheel-drive trek through the Engineer Pass to the north or Cinnamon Pass on the southern part of the loop and visit historic sites such as Rose’s Cabin, the Ute-Ulay Mine, and the ghost towns of Animas and Carson.

While the mountain has a lot of history, the scenery is what really steals the show. The byway passes five 14,000-foot peaks, which provide ideal photo opportunities all year long. Visit between late July and early August for beautiful wildflower displays, or take the trip in mid-September to fully enjoy an explosion of fall colors. If you’d like to get more intimate with the mountains, you’ll find fairly moderate hiking trails to all five peaks, as well as great backpacking areas, streams and lakes ripe for fishing, and campgrounds in a variety of settings.

A must-see for anyone with a soft spot for scenery, the Alpine Loop has just the right mix of rugged adventure and remote, untouched wilderness landscapes. Whether you visit for a few days or a few hours, you’ll find it’s well worth the trip.

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