Engineer Pass

Ouray, Co. | San Miguel County

Trail Status: Closed

Trail Highlights

Engineer Pass is a must-experience trail for off-road enthusiasts and adventurers alike. As part of the renowned Alpine Loop, this high-altitude route offers an exhilarating mix of rocky switchbacks, narrow shelf roads, and panoramic vistas that stretch across towering peaks and historic mining sites. The eastern portion of the pass, beginning near Lake City, is relatively mild, resembling a scenic backroad with plenty of opportunities for camping and exploring abandoned cabins. However, as drivers ascend toward the 12,800-foot summit, the trail transforms, revealing steep climbs, off-camber sections, and exposed ledges that test the skill and nerves of even experienced off-roaders. The journey is equally rewarding in autumn, when golden aspen trees blanket the lower elevations, making it a prime destination for fall color enthusiasts.

What sets Engineer Pass apart is its length and connectivity, making it one of the best overlanding routes in the San Juan Mountains. Spanning over 20 miles, it is the longest trail in the area, linking Ouray to Lake City while offering a gateway to several other famous trails, including Cinnamon Pass, California Pass, and Hurricane Pass. This makes it a prime choice for multi-day off-road expeditions, allowing travelers to experience a diverse range of landscapes—from lush valleys and alpine meadows to rugged high-altitude switchbacks.

Trail Details

Trail Directions: Google Maps

Difficult From Ouray Challenging Average Duration5 Hours

Things To Consider

Seasonal Access: Engineer Pass is typically open from late June to October, but snowfall can linger at higher elevations, and early-season conditions may be unpredictable.
Length & Duration: As the longest trail in the area, expect 4–7 hours to complete, depending on weather, traffic, and stops for sightseeing or camping.
Vehicle Requirements: A high-clearance 4×4 is strongly recommended. While the Lake City side is easier, the Ouray side features rocky switchbacks and off-camber sections that can challenge stock vehicles.
Overlanding & Camping: This is a great overlanding route with plenty of remote camping opportunities, but campsites fill up fast on weekends.
Shelf Roads & Exposure: Expect narrow, exposed shelf roads with steep drop-offs, especially on the western approach. These sections require confidence and careful tire placement.
Traffic & Passing Challenges: Engineer Pass is popular with Jeepers, overlanders, and UTVs, especially on weekends. Some sections are one vehicle wide, requiring coordination to let others pass.
Scenic & Historic Highlights: The pass offers stunning mountain views, historic mines, and connecting routes to trails like Cinnamon Pass, California Pass, and Hurricane Pass.

TRAIL NOTE** – Difficult terrain from Ouray to the peak. We have rated this section as difficult and it could prove very challenging for beginners.

Engineer Pass Interactive Trail Map

Download Engineer Pass GPX

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Can My Vehicle Complete Engineer Pass?

There are significant diffrences in the vehicle requirements for this trail. Starting from Lake City the trail is very mild to the summit of engineer pass. However starting in Ouray can pose significant challenges for smaller low clearance vehicles. Check the chart below to get our recommendations on which vehicle type would be best suited for this trail! Please always be safe and remember just because “it’s possible” doesn’t mean you should. Don’t wheel past your limits, travel with others and ALWAYS “Stay the Trail”.

Small Offroad SUV

Possible but be careful.

Low Clearance can cause issues
IFS can make obsticles tricky

Offroad SUV

Use caution!

Higher clearance is better
IFS can make obsticles tricky

High Clearance SUV

Should be fine!

Lockers are helpful!
A solid axle makes obsticles easier

Modified Offroad Vehicle

You got this! Just be safe!

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Camping on Engineer Pass

Lots of Availability Rooftop Tent Best Tent Camping

Being such a long trail there are plenty of opportunities for camping along the trail. Most are not actually on Engineer Pass but are on connecting routes. Several can be found on Mineral Creek near the start of Poughkeepsie and others can be found on the Lake City side of Engineer pass. As always we recommend having a roof top tent for the best camping experience as this can get busy especially on weekends during the summer months.