Alpine Loop: Engineer & Cinnamon

The classic San Juan high loop links Lake City, Silverton, and Ouray over Engineer Pass (12,800 ft) and Cinnamon Pass (12,640 ft). Rocky shelf roads with real exposure, tight switchbacks, and afternoon lightning that kills. Be over the passes by noon. Street-legal or OHV-permitted bikes both run it; the Ouray descent (Mineral Creek) is the most technical piece and rattles big ADV bikes. Ghost towns at Animas Forks and Capitol City, dispersed camping along Henson Creek and the Animas. Fuel in all three towns. Open roughly July 4 to late September, snow owns it the rest of the year. Combine with Ophir and Imogene for the full pass-bagging weekend.