Connecting Silverton to Lake City is a amazing drive in the red topped San Juan Mountains.
Along Colorado’s Alpine Loop, Cinnamon Pass sits 12,640’ above the San Juan Mountains. A high clearance vehicle preferably with 4WD is needed to reach the pass, but the breathtaking views along the challenging journey make it worth the ride.
During the gold rush in Colorado, Cinnamon pass was used to reach what would soon be the town of Silverton. In the late 1800's a wagon road was installed. Today you can trek that same route in an off road vehicle.
At the summit of Cinnamon Pass, there is a parking lot to stop and take in the beautiful alpine scenery. The ascent of the pass is challenging, with steep and rocky terrain that can be extremely tough in wet conditions. The road is often only accessible from late May and will likely close by late October.