Alpine Loop Scenic Byway Lake City Entrance — Attraction in Lake City

We entered at Silverton, and did Cinnamon Pass to Lake City. We saved American Basin for another trip. We topped off the Jeep in Lake City and then did Engineer Pass. At the junction after the summit we took the trail west towards Ouray instead of heading back to Animas Forks. I'm glad we did because we came across some folks that were literally stuck between a rock (couldn't back up) and their front tire was about to go off the edge. We winched them backwards and then spotted them down a small obstacle to get them squared away. Loved it, but I wish this loop was one way, like Black Bear. These shelf roads should be no passing. My other suggestion for the Side by Side rental agencies to educate the renters of the same Jeep etiquette I learned immediately upon joining my first Jeep club back in 1991. Be courteous. Uphill usually has the right of way. Slow down and enjoy the ride. We will be back to take the American Basin spur. I will say that we did this in 7 hours on probably the busiest day of the year, Saturday, July 5th 2025. Probably try for a Tuesday next time. I'll also say that everyone we met in Durango, Silverton, Lake City, and Ouray was very nice, and happy...

This drive was beautiful. This part of the drive is easily doable by any type of vehicle (except a skateboard of course) Get too far, and you will need an SUV at a minimal. I've seen vehicles like 3rd generation CRV's (7.3inches of ground clearance) and vehicles like 2020 Toyota Rav4's (8.4inches of ground clearance) and a Mazda CX30 (comes with about 8" of clearance.

A standard 2020 Toyota Corolla (5.1inches) seemed to tried to make it past a certain point but probably figured out it was too rocky for such a vehicle.

With all of that being said, this lake city road is very and easily drive able. If you want to start heading towards SILVER CREEK, you likely won't make it there with a sedan. So keep that in mind.

Very beautiful drive as you could imagine just by looking at the still image from...

The scenery is amazing, the road was worse than I have ever seen it. Don’t bother going to Silverton, they do not allow Off Highway Vehicles in town anymore, but they will sure take your money to give you a ride into town. It once was our favorite stopping place to eat and shop, but I don’t see us doing that anymore. I highly recommend a razor or sporty side by side. A jeep or truck could make the lake to cinnamon pass but past that, it would...