Alpine Loop (SW Colorado): July 4th Weekend

I’m truly spoiled. In my first year of off-roading (2015), one of my first trips was through the Alpine Loop in SW Colorado: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ray-silverton-lake-city-7-30-8-3-2015.386239/. The loop is part of a series of off-road trails connecting old mining operations full of interesting history and incredible scenery. I was only 5 hours away from my home base of Denver, yet I felt as though I was on a different planet. My only regret is that I may never experience it ag…

Wait a minute. Of course I can. Last year, we made it 5 days. This year, it was a quick and dirty 3 days.

Most of the photos below were taken by my co-pilot so a lot of the credit goes to him. Outside of the phones, most of the pictures were taken with an Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark ii. The lens was the “stocker”, a 14-42 mm ii R. We’re both new to photography with a camera that isn’t imbedded in a device. Neither one of us knew what we were doing.


We left early on Saturday and started south on Highway 285. It was, as usual, a beautiful and aggravating drive.


Beautiful.






Aggravating.






Blue Mesa Reservoir.






There! In the distance.








Ouray. This is one of 3 modern towns that the loop connects with. The other two are Lake City and Silverton. More on these later.




Proof.




Some different angles.












Once there, we tried to find camping up at Angel Creek (where Yankee Boy Basin/Governer Basin is accessed). We stayed at a campsite in the area last year. No luck this time.

















Amphitheatre, unsurprisingly, was full. Luckily, our compatriot found a side road that looked private. It was not!






We found a fantastic site…one of the best I’ve ever had. I learned my lesson from last time: use it as a basecamp and don’t try to find a new one.










This dog knows what’s up. We drank our faces off that night.



After a slow morning, we made our way towards the loop.




The Million Dollar Highway.




It’s paved, but don’t let that fool you. One small mistake and you’ll have a bad time.




What is it, 4th of July weekend or something?




Here we go.








That's the Million Dollar Highway down on the right.












Our first, and well-deserved, stop.






While going to work every day on the commuter rail, I pass what was once the Denver Rock Drill Company.




From right to left: Tacoma-on-Tacoma action (if you’re into that); An Asian and Caucasian Walk into a Bar; a white floof.




Snow you didn’t.

 

My co-pilot wonders if he got the raw end of the deal.






Mineral Point. It’s a well-preserved mining camp and the views are stunning.
























Can you imagine living up here year-around? Here, I’ll help: there was no Starbucks.




A lot more Toyotas this go-round. We were turned around and the driver guided us in the right direction. Good bunch of guys.




We were just down there.










Animas Forks, a very well-preserved mining town and a good place to gather your thoughts.




Yes, that is a 4runner towing a pop-up trailer going up Cinnamon Pass. The driver will prove to be bad at it. We will encounter it again.






Can't tell if he's scowling or smiling.
















And here we encounter nature's most dangerous creature, the cidiot.




Made our way to Lake City to grab some lunch at Southern Vittles.

 

We woke up the next morning somewhat refreshed...didn't drink much booze the night before which I blame for our drag-assedness. Next, it was on to Silverton to visit my grandma and her brother (he plays host to a large RV camp there). I wish we could have stayed longer...the original plan was to stay the night for fireworks.

The RV camp and the train.




Then, followed the Animas River toward Animas Forks.




Note the recommendations. "Strongly" may need to be inserted here. We saw yet another pop-up camper further along.












My friend takes the lead.










Man, we've made it a long...way






Everyone looked somewhat terrified inside...probably from having no cell service.




"Look!" "No." "Look!" "No."






From here, we could see what types of snacks flight attendants were serving.








Thank god for this cone. Wouldn't want anyone falling off.




Large overlook with a lot of parking. Mt. Olympus.


















A few mere mortals drinking in the views and elixirs of the gods.






















Of all the majestic things to marvel at, somehow I took a picture of this man's pants.




Unfortunately, time to leave.

 

We made our way to Lake City to eat dinner at Poker Alice...great vibe, great pizza.














Last picture before the camera died.

 

Nice pics so far. My friend's family has a cabin on the Lake City side of Cinnamon and we get invited a couple times a year, one of my favorite areas of CO.

 

Time for more Pics! Heading there Thursday!

 

Man this makes me miss CO so bad. Nice pics and nice truck!

 

id be in on a group trip thru alpine loop

 

Sorry, I'll get them up tonight.

 

Does your friend's family need a new friend? I can be a pretty good friend.

 

im a better friend

 

I'll be doing the loop this weekend. Gotta love the trailer on the pass, right at the beginning it states no trailers! Idiots!

 

Well played.

 

Final update posted. See above.

 

My next ambition (besides Italy, Alaska, taking over the world, etc.) is to plan a week or so trip and do every single trail and town in the area (with some hiking and fishing thrown in for good measure). I've already started planning.

 

Is your friends truck stock?

 

Well, it's mostly debadged so 10+ horsepower.

I know where you're going and it is stock and performed admirably. A few minor bottom hits but no issues otherwise.

 

My first time on the Loop was in a stock Grand Cherokee, I'd be incredibly disappointed if my truck couldn't make it. I'm actually fairly impressed that BMW made it as far as up as it was pictured.

 

Nice. @TXSmiley and I were there the weekend after the 4th of July.