Engineer Pass - The Iconic “Must Do” Alpine Loop Trail - Silverton, CO
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- Опубликовано: 6 окт 2020
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These are all Amazon Affiliate links, and purchasing here does not cost you any more but I do get a small commission. Thank you for your support! - Geoff
It has been several years since I ran Engineer Pass. This is a Jeep Badge of Honor trail. I first ran this pass back in 2002 and I was completely amazed. Well, the views didn't change, the scenery was just as incredible and I still love this trail. It is a technically easy trail and most stock 4x4 rigs can do it. Enjoy! 
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Thanks for watching guys! 🤘 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a like, please. It helps out the channel immensely!
The Ouray side of this pass is much more fun.
I agree!
Great video of the whole trail! Brings back fun memories of when I ran it a couple years ago. Amazing views that just take you breath away....Great job!
Thanks John!!!!
Thank you for the amazing video. Taking my father this summer, can’t wait looks amazing.
Thanks for watching, Eric! It really is a super trail! The views and experience will be well worth the trip! - Geoff
Wow! Great video. I would love to take this trail with a group. Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks for watching- Geoff
Heading out that way in October ...haven't run it since 2006 in my F150. I remember only passing 3 jeeps all day...this video looks a bit like traffic. Great video all in all.
Thanks! Traffic since then has definitely increased on all of the trails out here and Engineer probably more than most. I first ran it in 2001 or 2002 and there were only a few other rigs on the trail. Oh well, that’s how it goes. You will still have a good time! - Geoff
We first ran these trails in the early 1980's. We love the area. Your video has given me the fever lol.
Heck yea! Thanks for watching! I first ran Engineer Pass in 2000 or 2001 if I remember correctly. I will never forget the feeing I had when I first got above tree line on this trail! Great picture of Crystal Mill by the way. Get out there and go wheeling! - Geoff
@@Colorado4x4 We rented a side x side and drove to Crystal Mill . Beautiful ride !
That is a beautiful ride!
It looks like with a couple of scrapes I might be able to get my De Ville up there!
Hunter Thompson, thought you were dead😂
Incredible video!
Thanks!
Heading up next week to do the alpine loop in my pretty much stock gx460
Awesome! I saw that Cinnamon and Ophir passes are open. I haven’t heard that Engineer is open but it probably is!
Another great video. You’re living the dream.
Thanks Tom! We didn’t do nearly enough wheeling this year. Still better than last year, but we didn’t even make it to Moab which sucks. Back when Camron lived here in 2015 and 2016 we were crushing the trails! But now, it’s like every year is a let down compared to that. Oh well, I just got to get out as much as I can. Might go hit a trail tomorrow after work
Colorado4x4 You run awesome trails. When I get the Bronco, I just have to decide what Louisiana mud hole I want to winch out of on late afternoon runs😂😂😂. You’re in the right place my friend!
Oh man. I can’t stand mud. Let me know when you come out here and we can hit a trail!
Colorado4x4 Will do. Colorado and Moab are definitely on the bucket list. And I hate mud, too!
Back in 2011 I rode up that on my mountain bike. It too 7:15 to reach the sign at Engineer Pass. Weather came in so I rode back to town the same way and it only too 1:20 but man that was fun. I'd like to bikepack the whole loop next time.
Go to Aspen. Carry your bike up over Buckskin pass. The bus will take you as far as Maroon Belles. Once you hit the top it's all downhill except for the brief journey up to smowmass lake you'll want to make. They can pick you up in olde Snowmass.
Nice trailhead scenic views. Doesn't seem as dangerous as Black bear pass. But you have to keep your wits about you on all high country trails THANKS FOR THE ADVENTURE.
Thanks Bill! It was my first high country trail in Colorado years ago and it’s still up there on my list. It definitely isn’t as dangerous as Black Bear Pass. Thanks for watching. - Geoff
Just did this pass 2 weeks ago. We had sunshine, snow, sleet, hail, rain in less than 30 minutes. The afternoon weather can be tricky.
Oh man! Yes the weather this time of year can be crazy. Especially in those mountains at that altitude!
You really have to keep your focus thru that whole trip. Many places you could go off the. Road.
Yes sir. All of the shelf roads are like this. You can’t let distractions get in the way or it’s over!
Great video, can you please share what camera and mounting system used? Stabilization is perfect!
My camera is a GoPro 3 I think? It’s old. My buddies is the newer GoPro Hero 8. I have to get one! It is so much better than mine. The picture is so clear and the stabilization is amazing. We just mount them on top of the front windshield with the sticky tape mounts. Thanks for watching!!!
Great vid, thanks for sharing. We are planning a trip there in Sep 2022. Do you think that Sep would be a good time of year to go?
Thanks for watching. September is usually great. There sometimes is the rare snowstorm in September that would close all the San Juan trails so just keep that in mind, but the first half of September is usually great. Have fun! - Geoff
Very cool video!! does this take me to Handies trailhead? thinking of heading up in few weeks?
Thanks! Just take Cinnamon Pass to Handies. It’s easier and not as long. It’s a great trail! From Silverton just go to Animas Forks and then over Cinnamon Pass to American Basin. Enjoy! - Geoff
Traffic jams on Engineer Pass trail...amazing! It's the scenery's fault.
🤣 Nothing like high country traffic jams! I have to be honest, I would rather sit in traffic on this trail than on I-25 😜
The problem with roads like this for someone like me in the south is that there are two backgrounds. One is the road in front of you and the other is the mountains behind that. The two “move” at different speeds and it fully throws my equilibrium off. I hope to get to drive here in the next couple of years, but I’m not hopeful I won’t throw up while doing it.
I hear you! I have some dizziness issues as well. I always just focus on the road when driving and honestly don’t even look at the scenery. I just take breaks or stop to take in the view. - Geoff
Love the video! Thinking of taking my Subaru Outback out there this summer. Looks like the trail isn't too rough (I'm on a 2" lift and A/T tires).
Thanks! I wouldn’t hesitate to drive your rig up there! It’s super easy and you should be fine. Just make sure you got a full sized spare tire with air and you will be good to go. Let me know how it goes when you do it 👍🏻
@@Colorado4x4 Thanks! I'll probably post a video on my channel when I do. We just did an overland trip to Big Bend NP and I plan to upload that as well.
I've read the main crux for Subies on Engineer is the altitude and steepness. Nothing a little momentum shouldn't be able to solve. Would like to avoid needing a pull though because of how crowded it gets. The 2020 Outback fits a full-size spare in the wheel well so I'm good to go there.
Sweet! Big bend looks awesome. I would like to see that video. I wouldn’t worry about the elevation with the Subaru. Will be fine.
@@GregFeeneyPoker what's your channel? I'm all about Subaru's
So here's a funny question, I am bowhunting mule deer around silverton, and I'd love to hitch a 1 way ride up to California or Hurricane pass, when I get there you think someone would be willing to haul me up for a fee?
Not a funny question! 😂 now I have some questions! Resident or non? How many points did it take you? There’s some good bucks up there for sure! I have seen some good ones over the years. Man I have to think about someone hauling you up there. I know if I was driving down the road and saw a hunter I wouldn’t hesitate to give him a ride. Where are you going to start? Hurricane pass area?
Where is this place ? It’s beautiful!! And btw love your videos !!
Thanks! It’s just outside of Silverton, Colorado. It’s part of the Alpine Loop - Geoff
How long is the drive to the top from Lake City if you’re driving with a purpose?
Probably 1.5 to 2 hours. You might be able to do it quicker but it is 19 miles and it’s bumpy and who knows how many people will be on the trail when you go.
Don't rush please, that is what causes accidents. Take your time enjoy the views and you should still be able to make the summit in 2 hours. Cinnamon pass you can easily reach the summit in 1.5 hours if you're in more of a time crunch.
Any overheating problems going up? Did you go into 4 low going down?
My 2016 JKU doesn’t really overheat while wheeling. My buddies 2007 JKU with the 3.8 would overheat a lot on steep climbs. The other rig in this video is a 2012 JKU and it didn’t have any issues. I might have shifted to 4 low going up but I can’t remember going down. I usually just run 4 high and try to go fast but if I’m burning up the brakes then I’ll shift to 4 low. - Geoff
Is it possible to do Engineer pass with stock 4Runner ?
Yep. Lots of stock rigs up there. It’s gotten more chewed up over the years but still no problem. I used to run it all the time in a stock Tacoma. The Forest service patrols in a stock Jeep XJ - Geoff
Question about the trail. It looks like its one lane. What do you do with on coming vehicles..
I'm still new so I may have some silly questions
Hello Anthony. No off-roading question is a silly question. It is a two lane trail. It gets narrow in some spots so you just have to keep an eye out for oncoming vehicles and I always make note where good pull-offs are as I drive so when I come up on a vehicle I know how far down I have to back to. Uphill traffic has the right of way in Colorado, but sometimes it is just courtesy and makes more sense for the vehicle traveling uphill to back up a little bit to a spot if it is closer. 👍🏻 - Geoff
Thanks.
Looking forward to start running some of these trails. Do you know if there are any guided trips for first timers?
Also can you camp over night at the summit?
You bet! There are some outfits that rent Jeep in Ouray and Silverton but I don’t know about any guided trips. Where do you live and what vehicle are you driving? I’m not sure if you can camp on the summit but I’ve camped on the east side of Engineer pass toward Lake City before. There’s some great disperses camping in the trees. It’s always really windy up top too
Thanks for the information. I live in Peck Ks. Close to Wichita. I have a 2015 Jeep wrangler unlimited. With a 2.5 lift.
Oh sweet man. Engineer Pass is super easy. I see a lot of stock pickup trucks up there. It was my first Colorado trail I ran back in 2002 in a stock Tacoma. You will have no issues at all! If you have any other questions about Colorado trails let me know or when you come out give me a shout and maybe we can run a trail. - Geoff
I believe we're doing this trail in July this year... To someone new to this and not a lot of offroad experience, it looks terrifying. Beautiful, but terrifying coming from someone who doesn't live ANYWHERE near mountains.
Hey Phil! Man, shelf roads are a funny thing. They really just roads, right? Roads with exposure and consequences. The only way you can get experience for driving shelf roads is to drive shelf roads. I first drove Engineer Pass in 2002 or 2003 and was freaked out! Just take it easy and go slow. Focus on the road and not the scenery. When you want to look at the views, stop and take pictures and take it in. It is better to work your way up in difficulty with shelf roads but Engineer is not really all that bad. - Geoff
ill be doing it thurs july 29 my first time also.
@@KeithSmitthI’m going July 3rd. In my tundra on 35s 😅
Is this tough in a side by side?
Nope. It’s a little bumpy but there are no technical sections.
Where is the starting point for Engineer pass.do you have coordinates
The trail goes from Silverton to Lake City
Nice video of the trail... I have never gone off-roading before... do you think this trail is too hard for a beginner? I did not see any obstacles.... that's what I am trying to avoid till I get some experience... we will be here the end of May 2024... do you have any other easy trails that we could explore with great views? I see we could go off onto other trails here (cinnamon/animas forks) ... do you think those trails are easy for someone knew? Thanks, in advance.
Hello! First, I would ask what vehicle you are driving? There are no obstacles on Engineer pass at all. The whole Alpine Loop is usually fine for aggressive stock SUVs. The shelf roads will scare a lot of people because of the exposure. Check out the link in the description and order the Charles Wells guidebook. If you’re going to only be here until May, your time is running out as it has already snowed in the high country. Go check out Animas Forks and I would drive Cinnamon Pass first. It has less exposure compared to Engineer. - Geoff
We are driving a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited lifted with big tires... nothing fancy...
@Colorado4x4 Sorry.. we aren't going to be there until the end of May/beginning of June 2024
@mistyhightower2730 ok you’re good for sure. Go for it!
Ah, copy that. San Juan trails don’t usually open until late May or June. Order this guidebook and it will give you a great overview of what Colorado has to offer. I love this book. www.amazon.com/Guide-Colorado-Backroads-4-Wheel-Drive-Trails/dp/1934838268?crid=13UVF7D6OL633&keywords=charles+wells+guide+to+colorado+backroads&qid=1661912525&sprefix=Charles+wells+colo,aps,129&sr=8-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=colorado4x4-20&linkId=9e7696d84e1e1c3c012194ab15f05333&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Does this connect to Ouray?
It does. It’s part of the Alpine Loop and all of these trails connect in one way or another ouraymountainadventures.com/explore
Would a stock H3 with 10 ply tires handle this?
Yep. No problem. I drove this trail first in 2002 in a stock Toyota Tacoma with no issue. My buddy drove his stock 1972 Ford Bronco on it without any problem. You will see many stock rigs on it. In fact the Forest Service patrols this trail in a stock 1990s Jeep XJ Cherokee. I would also look at Ophir Pass to Telluride and Imogene Pass back to Ouray as great day! You can take Engineer pass to Lake City and come back over Cinnamon Pass. It’s a long day but worth it. There are so many great easy trails out there!
@@Colorado4x4 thank you for the info! How about Imogene? I will not touch Black Bear or Schofield, but plan on doing Engineer & Imogene in 3 weeks when I make my way down to the San Juans. 😁
Imogene is good for you for sure. Where will you stay? I suggest Ophir Pass from 550 to Telluride. Lunch in Telluride and then Imogene back to Ouray
Just realized I was a pussy at 10:04...lol. We took the Alpine Loop for the first time 8-9-21 and I was BLOWN away by how many people we saw on bikes on this trail!
Oh man. How many mountain bikes??? Was there some event or something?
@@Colorado4x4 not aware of any event, but there were several mtn bikers
That would be a heck of a work out! I’d rather drive a car up there but that’s just me 😂
Think a Colorado Z71 can do this trail? Stock?
Yes sir! I first did it in 2000 in a stock Nissan Pathfinder. And then drove it many times in a stock 2004 Tacoma.
@@Colorado4x4 Excellent news, thanks for the info! i cant wait to go try it!
You bet! Some of the last times we’ve been up there, the Forest Service drives the trail in a stock 1990s Jeep XJ with some bald tires. 😂. It’s such a great place! You can make a nice long loop from Silverton to Lake City and back by taking Cinnamon Pass there and Engineer Pass on the way back. Corkscrew Gulch (Pass) is also awesome as well! Ophir is another great pass too. You can do pretty much every trail there except for Poughkeepsie Gulch. I’ve got a video (older video) of my buddy taking his stock 1972 Ford Bronco on all of these. That will give you a better idea too! Man it’s such a beautiful place. We love the San Juans!
Also I would pick up this book! This is THE BEST Colorado trail guidebook! www.amazon.com/Guide-Colorado-Backroads-4-Wheel-Drive-Trails/dp/1934838268
@@Colorado4x4 Wonderful! ill check out the book, and yeah! i love San Juans too, I'm yet to do trail driving there but i have climbed a ton of the mountains in CO, LOVE the place!
People heading up have the right of way?
Yes