Alpine Loop - Lake City, CO feedback?

[TXRedFE]

I was hoping to get some feedback from anyone if they have taken their Bronco to drive the Alpine Loop right outside of Lake City, CO. I drove it a couple of years ago in a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that I rented, and it did just fine, in fact better than I expected on the trail. It was kind of a rainy day too, which is why I opted for this one instead of a Razr since my 13 year old daughter was riding with me.

So I would like to take my First Edition Bronco to the Alpine Loop over Labor Day weekend '24, as I think the weather should still be good. There are still places that are snow capped a little bit on the trail due to the elevation. I haven't done any upgrades to the Sasquatch suspension and tire package, but I figure if a stock Wrangler Rubicon can do well, then I shouldn't have any issues. Let me know what y'all think, and any particular plans / mods / accessories could be valuable for this drive.

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[userdude]

I did the entire loop and Mineral Creek last year at the beginning of October and nary an issue. Mineral Creek was the most difficult part and I followed three JKU's on 37's and didn't slow down. Especially if you go slow, I liked Mineral Creek because it wasn't just driving. Parts of Cinnamon Pass you'll be passed by, like, Honda Accords. Just don't drive off any cliffs.

So, I don't think you'll have an issue. If you can do Black Bear (don't know if it opened this year), it might be scary if your daughter's real young. Imogene can also be scary.

I found the scariest road to be the paved two-lane road around Rocky Mountain National Park. I was shaking after doing that two times (back and forth). It was because of the traffic. So Alpine Loop, I'd say get started early before the crowds, but I don't think you'll have any issues. It's more like a tour than a gauntlet of rocks on the edge of the mountain.

 

[Fordified1]

Are you starting in Lake City?

We did Alpine loop last month. No snow left (thaw was early this year) that will affect you. Nothing really difficult on most of those passes, It’s just a long way down if you somehow manage to drive off the side. Learn the rules as far as who has right of way. It was dusty as hell so we left the doors and tops on. We stayed in Silverton and when we did Lake City we went Engineer pass to Lake City, ate lunch and Cinnamon pass back. Black Bear opened the week we were there.

Don’t be this guy! He moved over too far for an oncoming vehicle. Almost went for a tumble.

 

[wyobronco]

Heading down there this weekend. Will be in Silverton, but will do all the loop and Black Bear and Imogene.

 

[TXRedFE]

Are you starting in Lake City?

We did Alpine loop last month. No snow left (thaw was early this year) that will affect you. Nothing really difficult on most of those passes, It’s just a long way down if you somehow manage to drive off the side. Learn the rules as far as who has right of way. It was dusty as hell so we left the doors and tops on. We stayed in Silverton and when we did Lake City we went Engineer pass to Lake City, ate lunch and Cinnamon pass back. Black Bear opened the week we were there.

Don’t be this guy! He moved over too far for an oncoming vehicle. Almost went for a tumble.

Man, that guy had a rough rough day! Thank for the info on the trails! I haven't decided on a starting point just yet, but last time I started on one side of Lake City and then finished the loop on the other side of town. Didn't go through some of the harder trails that time.

 

[Durangatan]

No prob in the Bronco. Holiday weekends suck. I don’t leave the property.

 

[TXRedFE]

No prob in the Bronco. Holiday weekends suck. I don’t leave the property.

Is is just the crowds / traffic on the trails?

 

[Durangatan]

Is is just the crowds / traffic on the trails?

Correct. in a few weeks things will settle down. For some reason last week was empty. Maybe Texas schools were back in session?

 

[swooshdave]

I did Cinnamon Pass last year in early/mid-June. Engineer Pass was still closed and Cinnamon had just opened.

Bronco didn’t break a sweat. Actually saw several Broncos up there.

 

[sthomas]

My brother and I just made a trip to the area last month. We did the Alpine Loop, Imogene, Mineral Creek, Poughkeepsie Gulch, Ophir, and a few others. I was in a 4dr Wildtrak and my brother in his Ranger Raptor. Neither had any issues. Just pay attention and have fun. We didn't run into any snow on any of the trails.

 

[jdamach1]

We did the Alpine Loop in my stock ‘22 Badlands SAS with zero problems. We also went to Moab and did Hells Revenge and Fins & Things Trails with no issues.

 

[jzweedyk]

You will be fine. We are in Ouray now and did Imogene yesterday. Black Bear pass is closed due to a rock slide. They are working on it and hopefully it will open before we leave.

 

[woodysfj40]

We spent 6 weeks in Ouray this summer and everything was open. Very low snowpack this year. There have been some recent monsoon rains, so do watch the weather before heading out.

We had zero issues with our OBX on 34's, only used the rear locker a handful of times.

 

[2Jeeps&PatriotX1]

Heading down there this weekend. Will be in Silverton, but will do all the loop and Black Bear and Imogene.

Black Bear is still closed.

 

[ksdon]

Drive clock wise around the Loop and you will be on the inside of the drop offs.

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