Guides/Off-road trails/Colorado
Off-road trail17 midifficulty: difficult

Engineer Pass

RegionColoradoAgencyU.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land ManagementLast verified—
Engineer Pass — off-road trail near Lake City, Colorado, Colorado
Photo by Bureau of Land Management, CC BY 2.0
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
17mi
Technical difficulty
Difficult
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Stock 4WD with high clearance and low range. Aggressive tires recommended. Stock SUVs handle the route in dry conditions; crossover SUVs and AWD vehicles do not.
Best months
Jul, Aug, Sep
Cell coverage
None on the route; service in Ouray, Lake City, and Silverton.
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Engineer Pass is the eastern of the two Continental Divide crossings on the Alpine Loop, the BLM-FS designated four-wheel-drive backcountry byway connecting Lake City, Silverton, and Ouray in the San Juan Mountains. The pass tops 12,800 feet and is the rougher of the Alpine Loop's two summits. The west-side descent toward Ouray is the most technical stretch, with loose shelf road above Mineral Creek requiring committed line choice.

Most drivers run the seventeen-mile Engineer Pass segment in three to five hours, longer if combined with the full Alpine Loop. The route opens with snowmelt in early to mid-July and closes by mid-October. Stock high-clearance 4WD with low range handles it; crossovers and AWD vehicles should not attempt the west descent.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Loose shelf road. The west descent has loose rock on shelf above significant exposure. Pick lines carefully.
  • High elevation. The pass tops 12,800 feet. Watch for altitude effects and afternoon thunderstorms.
  • Stream crossings. Henson Creek crossings can run high during snowmelt; reduce to dry-crossing depth before entering.
  • Weather. Lightning storms develop fast above treeline. Plan to be off the high traverse by early afternoon.
  • Limited recovery. No fuel and no cell. Carry full recovery kit and spare tire.

Location

17 mi · Off-road trail

Approx. location 37.972, -107.591

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management
Nearest townLake City, Colorado
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug
ClosedNov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Approx. location37.972, -107.591

Getting there

Directions

East side from Lake City. Take CR-20 / Henson Creek Road west from Lake City through Capitol City. The pavement ends at the edge of town. Continue past Capitol City and climb to the pass.

West side from Ouray / Animas Forks. From US-550 at the Mineral Creek bridge two miles south of Ouray, take FR 878 east. The road climbs through Mineral Point. From Animas Forks (Cinnamon Pass road), take the FR 826 / Engineer Mountain spur east to the pass.

Photos

8 photos

Photos · 8

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Engineer Pass sits on the Continental Divide between Lake Fork of the Gunnison River drainage to the east and the Animas River drainage to the west. The eastern approach climbs from Henson Creek above Lake City via Capitol City; the western descent drops toward Ouray via Mineral Creek and the historic Mineral Point mining district. Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison National Forest manages the higher portions of both approaches; BLM manages the upper Henson Creek corridor.

Trail Overview

Seventeen miles, point-to-point between Capitol City east of the pass and the Engineer Mountain Road junction with the Mineral Creek road on the west. The eastern approach is moderate shelf road and stream crossings; the western descent below the pass is the route's technical crux, with loose-rock shelf above significant exposure. The pass itself sits at 12,800 feet. Most drivers combine Engineer with Cinnamon Pass for the full Alpine Loop.

Points of Interest

  • Engineer Pass summit (12,800 ft). Stone monument and parking. Often the highest point on a typical Alpine Loop tour.
  • Mineral Point. Ghost town site below the western descent; foundations and headframes remain.
  • Capitol City. Privately owned ghost town site east of the pass with the remains of the Lee Mansion.
  • Whitmore Falls. Roadside falls on Henson Creek east of the pass.
  • Engineer Mountain. 12,968-foot peak adjacent to the pass.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed on FS and BLM land along Henson Creek and Mineral Creek with the standard stay limits. Capitol City Campground is a small dispersed area east of the pass; Mineral Creek has scattered dispersed sites on the west. Lake City has private campgrounds and motels; Silverton and Ouray have full lodging.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Run east-to-west for the easier ascent and the more technical descent. Reverse direction increases the climb's difficulty.
  • The west descent above Mineral Creek is the most technical stretch. Spot drivers if you have help.
  • Check conditions with the BLM Gunnison Field Office (970-642-4940) or the GMUG. The route opens with snowmelt in early to mid-July most years.
  • No fuel between Lake City and Ouray. Top off in town.
  • Carry recovery gear, a high-lift jack, and a spare. Cell service is none.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Engineer Pass?
Engineer Pass is rated difficult. The route runs 17 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Engineer Pass?
Stock 4WD with high clearance and low range. Aggressive tires recommended. Stock SUVs handle the route in dry conditions; crossover SUVs and AWD vehicles do not.
When is the best time to visit Engineer Pass?
The best months are Jul, Aug, Sep. Avoid Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun.
Is there cell service at Engineer Pass?
None on the route; service in Ouray, Lake City, and Silverton.