Alpine Loop 4x4 Trail - Lake City, Ouray, Silverton Colorado - Moderate Jeep, Badge of Honor

[@caseywalker86]

Nice video and coverage of the Loop. We spend the summers and early fall in Lake City every year and do the Loop several times each year. One additional thing to consider, especially if ledges and heights concern you, is to do the loop clockwise instead of counter clockwise. Clockwise (Cinnamon then Engineer) will put you on the inside of the road when you meet someone coming from the other direction and you have to squeeze by one another. This is helpful on the shelf road, the descent from Cinnamon to Animas Forks, and the backside (west) of Engineer Pass). Late September is my favorite time with all of the color and occasional snow.

[@cookwithsaamia]

This is probably the best introduction to the Alpine Loop. I was so anxious when my husband began booking the trip but you made it easy, thank you so much, specially the part where you explain with the map. Thank you so much and it is certainly a trip having.

[@RVHomeschool]

Thank you for the kind comment and I’m glad you got a chance to explore this beautiful area.

[@mikekofMorrison]

Thank you for this! We'll be doing the path from Lake City over Engineer Pass and on to Silverton next weekend. This really helps put my mind at ease in what to expect.

[@truckingwithschmidt7120]

That was one of if not the best tour of the loop I've seen on youtube. Thank you.

[@RVHomeschool]

Thank you for the kind comment. I hope you enjoy your trek around the loop.

[@Colorado_Native]

Nice video. I grew up in Ouray, Durango and Telluride. Went to college in Gunnison. I worked two summers in Lake City at a guest ranch. It's a beautiful place. You must take the Durango to Silverton narrow gauge railroad. Even as someone who grew up fourwheeling, camping, fishing,hunting, etc, that trip was awe inspiring.

[@RVHomeschool]

We absolutely want to do the train and just haven’t planned it. Maybe this summer.

[@Colorado_Native]

@@RVHomeschool You'll love it. You do have to reserve tickets though (the last I knew). They used to have a stop along the way where you could get off the train, backpack or whatever, and catch the second train or the train the next day. Enjoy and post another great video.

[@EmigRacing]

you did a great job of narrating this vidieo i been riding motorcycles in that area for 54 years. keep up the vidieos

[@shamjithks]

Do you think a regular 4 wheel suv can make that loop?

[@thedojo9782]

One of my favorites. I always start in Lake City, go to Silverton for some BBQ brisket and a beer. Then head back over which ever pass I didn't take to get to Silverton. A great long day.

[@RVHomeschool]

That sounds like an awesome day. Such beautiful views on that drive.

[@JhawkBeats]

General traffic flows clockwise on the loop. There is room on the trail as you can see to get by people but for the most part traffic flows clockwise.

[@DavidAlanReece]

Love your voice! Thank you for this wonderful, educational and detailed "review" of the Alpine Loop. A very well-done video by a fellow Jeeper. :)

[@mdimp1468]

Just wonderful video, so well explained, beautifully photographed, 💯

[@WheresWiseman]

Excellent video!! So much detail and your intro led is nicely through the rest 👍🏻 Thank you!!

[@derekheuring2984]

Videos like this are a great help to plan off-roading trips since my wife is terrified of heights and roads without guardrails. My wife and I are planning to buy an off-grid travel trailer to tow with my 2022 Power Wagon so I can park the trailer so my wife will have a nice place to hang out if I go do some off-roading that would make her uncomfortable. Having the trails marked "Easy", "Moderate", and "Difficult" is great information to have also since I'm not overly interested in damaging a $75k truck nor at the age of 70 having to dig a truck out or walk out of an alpine area. I did all that sh!t when I was younger.

[@JH-mt3pp]

We have Jeeped these trails since the early 1980"s. It is beautiful.

[@jonlockett8209]

Awesome, informative, and very thorough. Thank you very much.

[@brightman2011]

First time I have seen the whole incident. Excellent recovery!

[@JamesJacques-q2k]

Best narrated and descriptive video of a trail ride I've watched. Very informative and much appreciated. Learned alot and very helpful in future planning. 👍👍

[@user-hw1cr5uq4z]

We've run those trails with Polaris RZR side by sides and quads for years. My family is originally from Lake City, my dad and uncles were born there as well as grandparents. My great grandfather owned the Hidden Treasure Mine.

[@RVHomeschool]

Very cool. I think much of it would be easier with those RZRs (versus the wrangler). Lake City is so beautiful. San Cristóbal is such a beautiful lake as well.

[@darlawebber2524]

Where is the best place to camp to ride rzrs out from where you camp? Thought about lake city Eureka campground

[@darlawebber2524]

Thank you for the wonderful video

[@louissantoscoy6461]

We love that area! BTW, you have pretty hands!😊

[@fj9460-lr]

I’m new to your channel, very calm, informative and scenic/ I subscribed! In the spirit of sharing, in August of 1994 my wife and youngest son, then 12 years old drove our brand new GMC Sierra extended cab dually from Lake City up and over Engineer Pass and on to Quray via Mineral Creek Road, what an adventure that was! Since mountain off-roading had not become such a popular pastime yet there was scant other traffic on this route, maybe four or five Jeeps was all we encountered. And yes we were quite the sensation in that big red truck (4x4)! I noticed the extensive washed out climb up Engineer Pass in your video, much worst then in 1994. I suspect heavy rains this last summer and heavy traffic have conspired to degrade the road a bit. Thanks for the ride!

[@chuckhursch5374]

Beautiful fall colors! I did this loop with my cousin and his family back in 1998. I believe we did the loop in the opposite direction. My cousin was the one in charge, and I and my girlfriend were kind of tagging along. We had two vehicles: cousin had a mid 80s (84?) Ford Bronco, and I had a relatively stock 1986 Toyota 4Runner (which I still have). Neither vehicle was really challenged by the loop, although I have memory of a really steep hill that I was thankful I didn’t have to stop on and get started again, and there was also a switchback above timberline that I remember having some rock shelves where I was having a bit of traction loss going up them. Would like to go back someday…

[@larryrose1379]

Absolutely a fantastic job on this video so much great information thank you keep up the amazing job 😀

[@suejackson3664]

This is the most informative video of what the trail entails - thank you! There are so many videos but they’re all disjointed and no way to see what’s what.

[@RVHomeschool]

My biggest fear is getting into something we can’t tackle (or is more challenge than we wanted). So o try to share enough info so others don’t have that problem. Thanks for watching.

[@ZeebraATX]

This September a few friends and I are heading to Colorado from Austin for 9 days of mild Jeep Adventures and camping. I have been up there numerous times but focused on paved roads as we were riding motorcycles. I have been looking forward to the day I get to do Engineer Pass and it is finally arriving. However, up until now I questioned whether or not I had the vehicle to handle it as it is a stock 2014 Wrangler Sahara. Of all the videos I have watched, this video has the best cinematography, best narrated and THE MOST informative. THANK YOU as I now have a genuine excitement and confidence to do this.... Now I just need to wait 3 more weeks before I can leave.

[@RVHomeschool]

Great! I hope the conditions are the same for you. I always worry a little about erosion during winter. Maybe just chat with others on the trail as you head out. A nice thing about this trail is the volume of people. It ensures you’ve got some help if something goes wrong.

[@michaelangelos5117]

Very well explained. Thank you very much.

[@kong3]

Wow you missed what you called Photo Op. You can see past Grand Junction from that spot. My grandson when was 4 or 5 stood up there, spun around and said I'm on top of the WORLD. And those easy roads can get serious when its raining. (Monsoon season)

[@johnwyoder]

Thank you for this comprehensive and informative video of the loop! We're planning on including this in our next western adventure (CO & UT) in September of '23. I love the details, and I really like your style of narration. Truly top notch!

[@RVHomeschool]

Thanks for watching and I hope you have a great trip. September is a great time for both CO and UT. Check out our video on Potash Road in Utah. That should be another drive to add to your list.

[@scottplatt3410]

Yes thank you for this very informative video. We too will be doing this loop (and many others) on our six week RV & Jeep tour of CO & UT. Aug 25-Oct 8, 2023 from our home in FL. John, maybe we will run into each other. We will be in our purple JKU, and our Blue Tiffin class A.

[@johnwyoder]

@@scottplatt3410 Hey, you never know, it could happen! We'll be in our gray GMC Sierra with a black & white Overland cap from A.R.E.

[@brettsummer5070]

Thank you for the video. I was afraid we were limited to only the dirtbikes but it looks like we might do a portion in our 4x4 ram (lifted on 35s)

[@larryhall6179]

Nice going ladies. Love to watch your videos Sabrina. I could use some pro v1s ,most of my golf balls in various lakes and forests in Florida.

[@EvergreenOG]

The best instructional and educational video. Thk u

[@RVHomeschool]

Thank you for watching. Enjoy your trip.

[@johnnyringo4899]

Looks like you were there about the same time i was. Foliage was peak, so pretty. Headed back there in early August.

[@RVHomeschool]

I hope the foliage is just as great. It’s one of the prettiest places in the state. Have fun.

[@hg7240]

Thank you for sharing. Like your narration too. cheers

[@trustenbaker8766]

The last time I was there was when I was 14 and today I'm 47 I'm still thinking about it. I'll tell you who had the most fun, was the dog! lol

[@RVHomeschool]

Our dog joins us for most of our Jeeping too. I think she likes it….most of the time.

[@ChasingOurSunshine]

Amazing fall colors- and just love the Jeeping! Chasing RV Sunshine ☀️ Joel, Deb & 🐕 Maya

[@fishslayersocal9345]

Great coverage 👍🏼

[@RVHomeschool]

Thank you. Have fun on your drive.

[@SnoopysDesertBrother]

Stoney pass along the southwestern part of the Alpine Loop is the most unenjoyable section due to a maze of close trees (no views) and the very bumpy loose 4” rocks. I typically just do the upper half of the loop and back the same half.

[@earleholt4380]

Very well done!

[@RVHomeschool]

Thank you for saying that. And thank you for watching.

[@arsyesis]

Super vidéo très bien détaillée. Toutes les informations dont j'avais besoin

[@RVHomeschool]

Merci d’avoir regarde

[@kl1200r]

Very very nice all around Thank you

[@RVHomeschool]

Thank you for watching.

[@jcfindley380]

Thanks for the great information!

[@davidwyckoff2565]

Really good informative video

[@RVHomeschool]

Thank you

[@hermanboyd3367]

Great video !

[@vickiekilmer6628]

My husband and I have done this loop several times

[@donaldvesey8295]

Great video thanks 👍

[@craiglinnenbrink4706]

Great video.

[@RVHomeschool]

Thank you. I hope it’s helpful for your trip.

[@williamsoni]

Cool video. We visit Lake City in July, every other year, and it's nice to see all of the fall colors. I usually drive our Mazda up the trail along Henson Creek, passed Capitol City, to explore different fishing spots. Obviously the trail is too much for our car but you drove passed a lot of my favorite spots; we're going again this July ;-)

[@RVHomeschool]

How fun. We love Lake City. It’s like the last hidden gem in Colorado.

[@jeffreywahl1674]

Very cool! You guys do great videos. Very informative and this video, in particular, was inspiring. I’m a physician who enjoys RVing as well - at least when I can. Keep up the great work!

[@RVHomeschool]

Great to hear. Thank you for the nice comments. I would say the ER lifestyle has been helpful to RVing.

[@christoward6471]

Very nice video. Much more informative than most I've seen and because I'm afraid of heights I appreciate the sensitivity to that. Perhaps I'll go with a capable copilot who can take over on the shelf roads.

[@RVHomeschool]

If you ride as a passenger and take the loop clockwise you won’t have to see the steep drop.

[@JH-mt3pp]

The mineral creek trail from outside of Ouray is tough !

[@RVHomeschool]

It looks tough. That’s why I’m glad we took the route in from Lake City 😂

[@JH-mt3pp]

The house with the bridge used to be a rental @$750 per night.

[@RVHomeschool]

That’s crazy. Now you can buy it for only $1 million. 😂

[@bobdumlao9186]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@johnboyf-15vet51]

Just found your channel……subbed and liked…..excellent narration….really enjoyed it…..we have 10 grand children and when they get older we want to take them on these trails……Have you ever seen any Ford Transit awd vans on trails like this?

[@RVHomeschool]

I don’t think a can would have the clearance to scramble over the rocks at the passes. You could go from Lake City up the that waterfall i show and then turn back. Or head up to Animas Forks from the Silverton entrance. But I don’t think the passes (Cinnamon and Engineer) would be doable. But there’s a lot of UTV and Jeep rental places in those towns.

[@Stephen-4wd]

Great video......best for overall information. Wondering if you ever used 4 low and is it correct that most traffic runs the loop clockwise? We are planning to go there in a couple of weeks. Thanks.

[@kellyfennell4559]

Great video u should get a hand modeling contract

[@RVHomeschool]

Haha. Thanks, Kelly. Actually I’ve been feeling like my hands are getting veiny and wrinkly in my later years. 😂

[@BS2Dos]

👍👍 Super helpful!

[@EmigRacing]

really enjoy your voice on your video"s can you tell me what camera you are using. i am looking for one that you can pause and restart on the same video . keep up the good work Thanks Gary

[@RVHomeschool]

Hi Gary, I just use my iPhone to film and iMovie to put it together and edit. I’m not great with all of the technical stuff so it’s the easiest way for me to make videos.

[@smorrow0816]

Did you camp along the way with your family or did you just make a long day trip out of it?

[@jefft4303]

Great video of a great place. Six to eight hours may get you around it, but you need more like 6 to 8 days to do it right. There are two main calderas. One runs from Silverton to Ouray over to Animas Forks. The other overlaps it a bit, running from Animas Forks to Lake City. The main jeep trails, deep in the valleys, are the craters' inner rim. "Inside" The Alpine Loop is the part that collapsed. Later eruptions built back new super-volcano peaks, like Handies, Sunshine-Redcloud, Abrams, and the Red Mountains. The calderas are a subset of the La Garita complex, which dwarfs Yellowstone and which yielded the largest explosive eruptions on earth. The central peaks of these volcanoes have exceeded 25 to 30,000 feet, before exploding, and/or being worn down by glaciers, gravity, and erosion.

[@RVHomeschool]

Lots of great info. Thanks for sharing.

[@KNRAdventures1]

Great video, where can I order that folding map so I have it for our next trip? Thanks!

[@RVHomeschool]

We picked up that folded map locally but I bet you can call the Lake City or Ouray visitors center and they would mail one out to you if you want to plan.

[@lupenava122]

Your video was so informative!! Thank you for sharing it. I feel at ease to make the trip. I have a question, were you able to access the Red Mountains? I would love to see those as well.

[@RVHomeschool]

If you want the really red mountains I would head down to Silverton and Durango. There’s a great section on the million dollar highway that is a very easy side road and goes by the red mountains. I actually have a video on that too. Let me find the link.

[@RVHomeschool]

Here’s the link to the other video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJKZiY1npa5kepIsi=S2H8s_uivPL2rTQf

[@CalebErosa]

Is your jeep in Phoenix? Seen one today at my local shop white, black grill and those red spot lights… 😁

[@RVHomeschool]

Ha! I wish we were in Phoenix. In snowy Colorado today. ❄️

[@RAJohns]

I have a shot glass that reads, “I survived the Alpine Loop.”

[@RVHomeschool]

A shot is definitely well-deserved after scaling the rocks over Engineer Pass. 😂

[@ThayneDavis]

So pretty! Would you recommend the Telluride side for Durango to Ouray or would you go million dollar highway instead? Which side has the prettier views and leaves? We will be doing this drive next week. The leaves should still be pretty good. Thanks!!

[@RVHomeschool]

If you are in a car, I would do the million dollar highway. If you have an RV (like us) I would drive the route around Telluride up Lizard Head Pass and then down to Dolores to come around. You can also make a stop at Mesa Verde NP.

[@brianflynn7148]

If you are prepared, can you stay the night out there for a day or two?

[@RVHomeschool]

That’s a great question and I don’t know the answer. There’s lots of private land - so I’m not sure about camping. I bet the Lake City visitors center would have an answer for you.

[@sowhatsnext...2168]

Great video , where did you get the book from again ?

[@RVHomeschool]

amzn.to/3rQJlFA Here’s the link for the Jeep book.

[@Bull53]

Fun!

[@MoonMANgod]

Why’d y’all do it backwards?

[@TX-TACO]

Did you ever need your 4x4? Or did you keep in 2wd with your tires

[@RVHomeschool]

We were definitely in 4x4 at the passes. We usually switch into 4WD as soon as we leave pavement. We do not have lockers - so obviously it can be done without lockers. But I think 4WD is a must. Lots of rocky terrain and loose areas on the passes and you wouldn’t want to lose traction and fall down the steep edge.

[@GW-yp6xd]

Outstanding video in all ways but I think you meant to say the trail is ‘famous’ and not ‘infamous’ (well known for something bad) 😳

[@CoccoBarocco08]

I have a heavily modified F350 with camper, 12' tall and quite heavy and wide. I'm not concerned about the ruts, rocks, or ledges, but wonder if there's areas on this trail that are too narrow and/or don't have enough height clearance. Would love any insights from anyone. Thank you!

[@RVHomeschool]

I don’t remember any tunnels - so the height clearance isn’t an issue for that, but I do think you might be too top heavy and could tip over with a camper. There’s also some narrow parts at the top of Engineer Pass. We are wider than a typical wrangler (with our lift and 35” tires) but I don’t think a dually could fit on some of the pass. Hopefully others comment if they have successfully done it with a dually.

[@CoccoBarocco08]

@@RVHomeschool THANK YOU, awesome! Good to know about bridges/tunnels. I'm actually on a single rear wheel, so might not be too wide.

[@JSJensen]

Why is it infamous?

[@TheChris1500]

planning my trip now, october we going. im looking in the badge of honor trail list and im not seeing alpine in the list of badges, am i looking at it wrong?

[@RVHomeschool]

The only part that’s a badge of honor is Engineer Pass.

[@RVHomeschool]

I also want to mention that October might have snow. Probably likely at the summit. Just fyi.

[@johnbait3390]

Where do I find this booklet?

[@RVHomeschool]

Maybe the Lake City visitors center will mail you one. Here’s their page on the Alpine Loop: lakecity.com/alpine-loop-backcountry-byway/

[@johnbait3390]

@@RVHomeschool thanks!

[@bodeehern1133]

Is this pass done easy on a SXS?

[@RVHomeschool]

I would think you are narrower than we are in our Jeep.

[@reyesjaramillo1111]

I wonder if I can pull this off in a Wagoneer?

[@RVHomeschool]

Yes, if it has some decent height clearance. We would have scraped our underside on a large Boulder during a descent without our 2.5” lift.

[@aarongerman7857]

that house was for sale for like $600k

[@miketsangarakis7237]

Hi can you please share the name of the trail maps? Ty

[@RVHomeschool]

Is this what you’re looking for? amzn.to/3LLUvzJ

[@davidcarper5411]

[@williamgorski3929]

Infamous- well known for some bad quality or deed.

[@MsContourz]

Where did you buy the map?