Last Updated on January 11, 2024 by foxintheforest
Nestled in the stunning San Juan Mountains near Ouray and Silverton, you’ll find Engineer Pass, an unpaved road that connects the towns – and several ghost towns – on a drive with breathtaking scenery.
The top of the pass is at 12,800 ft elevation, so you’ll feel on top of the world as you drive over Engineer Pass.
If you want all the insider info on Engineer Pass in Colorado straight from a local source, you’re in the right spot.
I’ve called Colorado home for nearly 15 years now, and as an expert in the area, I will help you explore Engineer Pass like a local, not a tourist.
About this Guide to Engineer Pass
Inside this local guide to Engineer Pass, you’ll find inside details about:
- The history of Engineer Pass
- Getting to Engineer Pass in Colorado
- Is Engineer Pass dangerous?
- Things to do near Engineer Pass
- Additional Colorado travel planning resources
History of Engineer Pass
Engineer Pass, Colorado was constructed in 1877 by Otto Mears, who also built the Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton.
A few years after it was built, the Rocky Mountain Stage Coach Company began providing daily service between Lake City and Animas Forks over Engineer Pass.
Engineer Pass Accessibility
Engineer Pass is located near Ouray, and you can access the pass via US-550. From the Silverton side, you can get to Engineer Pass on CO-2.
Engineer Pass is completely unpaved and parts of it are steep and rocky. You must have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle or off-road vehicle in order to get up and over the pass.
Local Tip: The road is pretty rough in car, consider renting a side-by-side with better suspension instead! It’s a lot of fun and you’ll be able to go more places around Engineer Pass.
You should not attempt Engineer Pass in bad weather conditions, and Engineer Pass will close for snow in the winter, so the best time to try the pass is typically from June to September.
Is Engineer Pass Dangerous?
If you have the proper vehicle, most of Engineer Pass is easy to moderate difficulty and should be relatively safe.
A few parts of it can be a little tricky, and it becomes especially treacherous and should not be driven in adverse weather conditions.
Things to Do Near Engineer Pass
When you’re checking out Engineer Pass in Colorado, here are a few other super fun things to do nearby:
1. Drive to the Top of Engineer Mountain
While Colorado is full of mountain summits you can hike to, one of the unique things to do in Colorado is drive to the top of Engineer Peak.
Take Engineer Mountain Road up to the top and then scramble up the scree of the summit cone to stand on top of this 12,968 foot peak.
Local Tip: You’ll see the small turnoff that leads to the top off the pass on the south side of Engineer Pass.
You can climb via side-by-side from a left (northern) turn either at or past Odum Point – a famous scenic viewpoint.
There’s no official sign, but you’ll see a side-by-side trail on the north side of the road, take it to the top of Engineer Moutnain!
2. Tour the Entire Alpine Loop
Engineer Pass is part of the longer Alpine Loop, so you can combine it with Cinnamon Pass for one of the best scenic drives in Colorado.
The 64-mile Alpine Loop takes you through seven ghost towns and over two alpine passes (Engineer and Cinnamon) while linking Lake City, Silverton, and Ouray.
The incredible views along the drive feature tundra above treeline, meadows where wildflowers bloom in the summer, and stunning San Juan Mountain Range.
Local tip: If you’re planning to visit the towns around the Alpine Loop, be aware that ATVs and OHVs are allowed on the streets of Lake City, but not on any of the city streets in Silverton or Ouray.
3. Ride the Mineral Creek OHV Trail
The quickest and most thrilling way to get to Engineer Pass from Ouray is Mineral Creek OHV Trail.
This trail is a challenging climb through a narrow canyon, so you should have off-roading experience before you tackle this.
It starts off rocky and steep, but mostly eases up a bit. Don’t miss the hidden waterfalls at the entrance of Poughkeepsie Gulch.
4. Rent a UTV & Go Off-Roading
If you want to explore even more exciting off-road trails around Engineer Pass, Rock Pirates Backcountry Adventures will show you the way.
You can choose from an extensive selection of UTVs to rent and go off on your own to choose your adventure, or you can rent a vehicle and take a guided offroading tour of Animas Forks, California Pass, or the entire Alpine Loop.
These off-road tours are an amazing way to see the San Juan Mountains, and it’s definitely one of the coolest things to do in Ouray!
5. Explore Uncompahgre National Forest
When you want to get out of your vehicle and stretch your legs, check out some great Ouray hikes in Uncompahgre National Forest.
This area is full of amazing hikes, with lots of short trails to beautiful waterfalls and longer adventures to alpine lakes and wildflower meadows.
You also can go off-roading in Uncompahgre National Forest, and the Yankee Boy Basin OHV Trail is a must-do in the summer for absolutely incredible wildflowers in bloom and other sights including Twin Falls, Atlas Mill, and Camp Bird Mine.
