Alpine Loop, Colorado - Off-roading trip — July 21-25, 2027 — Lodging Post #22

[DTX2023Tremor]

Another trip on the calendar for planning. This one's about 11 months out, and mountain lodging in July is competitive enough that it needs to start now.

The trip: basecamp in Lake City, day runs on the Alpine Loop. Three trail days — a bonus day Thursday for anyone arriving early, then the two main passes Friday and Saturday.

Where we'd stay: Castle Lakes Campground and Cabins, nine miles south of Lake City on Cinnamon Pass Road. Same model as Moab and the Utah trip — RV sites, tent sites, and log cabins all at one property, plus a lodge with a rec room, pool tables, a store, laundry, and showers. You drive out of camp directly onto the Alpine Loop, no trailering.

The trails:

• Thu 7/22 (bonus) — Wager Gulch to Carson Ghost Town. Short, moderate, and it starts a few miles from camp. Good shakedown at altitude for anyone arriving early.
• Fri 7/23 — Cinnamon Pass, 12,640 ft, over to Animas Forks and back. Optional California Gulch on the return.
• Sat 7/24 — Engineer Pass, 12,800 ft, out and back via Henson Creek. The marquee day.

Wednesday 7/21 is arrival, Sunday 7/25 is departure.

Full-size friendly. Both passes are regularly run by full-size trucks from the Lake City side, which is the more forgiving approach. To be clear about what we're not doing: no Black Bear Pass, no Imogene. Those are the ones that get full-size trucks in trouble and they're not on this itinerary.

That said, these are one-lane shelf roads in places with no guardrail and long drops. Passing means someone backs up or pulls into a turnout. It's not technical, but it demands attention and a spotter-friendly attitude.

Two things to plan around:

Monsoon season. July brings afternoon thunderstorms with lightning above treeline, and both passes are well above it. We'll do dawn starts and be off the high sections by early afternoon. That's not optional — it's how you run these passes in July. It also gets us up and over ahead of the day's Jeep and side-by-side traffic, which matters on one-lane road in a convoy of full-size trucks.

Altitude. Camp sits around 9,400 ft and the passes top out near 12,800. If you're coming from Texas or anywhere near sea level, that's a real adjustment. Arriving Wednesday and doing an easy day Thursday is partly by design. Hydrate more than you think you need to.

The upside of late July: American Basin, just east of the Cinnamon summit, is one of the most photographed wildflower spots in Colorado and July is peak. Cinnamon's summit often still has snow on it, which makes for good pictures and doesn't affect passability.

Vote in the poll up top. If you're in, I'll follow up with a form for accommodation preference and arrival day. I'm calling the property about a group block and when their 2027 reservations open.

Ask questions and poke holes.

 

[soulezoo]

This is one I'll keep an eye on. I'll go if I am able... it depends on if wife can get the time off.

 

[Phillbo]

Watching to see how this firms up. Id be towing a 32' 5th wheel.

Wife is afraid of the alpine roads so i may be flying solo or bringing the redheaded GF....

Very interested and would come early to acclimate. Altitude always messes with me just enough to show it respect.
Maybe do a run down to the Bachelor loop with the wife prior to the alpine stuff (if she comes along).

Sounds like a great opportunity to do Colorado with a knowledgeable and respectful group.

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

Watching to see how this firms up. Id be towing a 32' 5th wheel.

Wife is afraid of the alpine roads so i may be flying solo or bringing the redheaded GF....

If just me I could ditch the trailer and just grab a cabin.

Very interested and would come early to acclimate. Altitude always messes with me just enough to show it respect.
Maybe do a run down to the Bachelor loop with the wife prior to the alpine stuff (if she comes along).

Sounds like a great opportunity to do Colorado with a knowledgeable and respectful group.

Depending on who goes, there may be other wives / significant others who might hang behind. For example, on recent meets, @Tugboat 's wife went sightseeing while the boys did their thing.

 

[mrmag00]

Well count me in, sounds like another great adventure.

 

[gsea]

I'm in. Most likely with a trailer.

 

[One shot]

Same. Will need an RV reservation for 26’ Airstream.

 

[Utah Ford]

I was in Lake City/Creede in July this year. Absolutely beautiful! The fires this year were a bit of a downside, but still beautiful.

The only "offroading" I really did was the Bachelor loop in Creede and then up to American Basin to hike Handies Peak. If anyone heading there wants to hike up to 14,000ft it's a very attainable peak.

Hopefully I can convince the wife to go back!
I suck at taking pictures by the way

Rented some SxS to go to the Wheeler Geologic area (by Creede)

Continental Reservoir

 

[soulezoo]

While I voted "can't commit", at this time I am looking at this as planning on going.

Same for Daniel Boone trail and bourbon excursion. As a great grandson of Daniel Boone (this is true) and a lover of bourbon... I almost have to go.

 

[OmahaBravo]

Interested but cant commit just yet.

The San Juans are calling and i still have yet to answer. I need to finish the design of my interior and then build it.

 

[gsea]

Interested but cant commit just yet. I need to finish the design of my interior and then build it.

Those seem like two entirely unrelated things.

“I can’t go wheeling next year because I need to finish my lunch today”

Not buying it. Just commit already. You know you wanna.

 

[OmahaBravo]

Those seem like two entirely unrelated things.

“I can’t go wheeling next year because I need to finish my lunch today”

Not buying it. Just commit already. You know you wanna.

Alright, count me in. I think my in-laws trip is earlier in the month anyway so i should be free. (vote updated)

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

I've identified a site that I think will work really well for our group. This weekend is apparently a wine festival weekend there, so I'll be calling them early next week to discuss our group with the owners and will follow-up with details.

 

[Toxophilite]

I've identified a site that I think will work really well for our group. This weekend is apparently a wine festival weekend there, so I'll be calling them early next week to discuss our group with the owners and will follow-up with details.

I looked up Castle Lakes Campground and Cabins and apparently to reserve a spot, there is a two night non refundable deposit. That’s a little risky considering it’s almost a year out. I would be interested in what they offer after you talk to them.

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

I looked up Castle Lakes Campground and Cabins and apparently to reserve a spot, there is a two night non refundable deposit. That’s a little risky considering it’s almost a year out. I would be interested in what they offer after you talk to them.

That's the place I'm going to reach out to.

I also connected with the Elkhorn Resort, but they're smaller and have less options that would work for our group. They also don't open reservations until January and don't do group blocks or rates.

 

[Phillbo]

Just FYI. Chatting with a buddy that made the engineer pass run up from lake city yesterday with his SxS. He said the last 5 miles were pretty chewed up.

May be typical conditions but those were his words.

 

[MVI]

I'm in. Most likely with a trailer.

Reminder to bring a trailer lock !

 

[Phillbo]

Trailer lock?

 

[MVI]

@gsea forgot his lock for the Moab trip.

 

[gsea]

@gsea forgot his lock for the Moab trip.

Touché... and thanks for the loaner. In fairness, I didn't expect I'd be dropping my trailer on the side of the road, either.