Engineer Pass Trail Report

Engineer Pass Trail Report with a stop
at the San Juan Chief Mill
Contributed by Jerry Clark
Photos by Miles A. Lumbard and Jerry Clark

There are six spectacular 4wd roads in the San Juans; Black Bear, Cinnamon, Corkscrew, Engineer, Imogene and Ophir. While not as difficult technically as Imogene or the dreaded Black Bear, Engineer demands more experience and skill than Corkscrew or Ophir. Engineer combines spectacular views at its summit, interesting mining locations and some challenging sections for the driver.

The Engineer Pass road forms one half of the Alpine Loop, running from Ouray to Lake City via Engineer and returning from Lake City via Cinnamon Pass through Animas Forks and returning to Ouray on the lower western portion of the Engineer Pass Road. The Loop can be made in one long day in good conditions, but one day leaves little time for side trips or stopping for any length of time to enjoy the scenery.

The Engineer Pass Road begins 3 miles south of Ouray on US 550. A large sign points the way to the Alpine Loop. The first two miles of the road are the most difficult to drive. Portions of the road are very rocky. Experienced 4-wheelers will not have much trouble. Beginners should proceed carefully. In September 1996 Miles Lumbard and I had to weave our way around fallen rocks that were almost as big as our Jeeps right after the first switchback.

About 1.5 miles from the trailed the remains of the Mickey Breene Mine can be seen. At the sign for Poughkeepsie Gulch stay to the left. The road up Poughkeepsie looks inviting. Don't be fooled. The Poughkeepsie Gulch Road is one of the most difficult in the San Juans. Damage to your vehicle is a definite possibility traveling this road. If you're renting a Jeep from one of the agencies in Ouray, your contract states driving on the Poughkeepsie Gulch road is prohibited. If you want to see Lake Como at the top of the gulch, come in over the top of Hurricane Pass from Gladstone another day and look down on it.

About 2 miles past the Poughkeepsie Gulch turnoff you will pass through the remains of the Des Ouray Mine. The mine got it's name from it's investors from Des Moines, Iowa. The boilers at the site powered a sawmill that operated at the site of the mine in the 1920's.

Continuing on the Engineer road for about another 1.2 miles you will come to a sign pointing right to Mineral Point. This road allows access to the San Juan Chief Mill. This is a difficult stretch up a rocky creek bed. If you're up to the challenge, have fun. Inexperienced 4-wheelers can get to the San Juan Chief Mill by staying on the main road and taking the faint road leading off to the right about a quarter mile past the Forest Service public toilets. I followed Miles up the creek bed last year without too much trouble. Coming back down I took my eyes off the line for a split second. I got between two large rocks and banged the rear differential on the Wrangler so hard I thought I'd find it sticking up through the floor.

The San Juan Chief Mill

The San Juan Chief Mill was built ca. 1892 to service the mines in the Mineral Point area. Many believe the mill marks the location of the settlement of Mineral Point. The settlement was actually located in the boggy area about a quarter mile southwest of the mill. The mill was closed a few years later due to the Silver Panic of 1893. Because of the high cost of moving or salvage, the operation was simply abandoned. Today the outside structure is gone, but the fallen stamps, boilers, amalgamation tanks and office are still reasonably intact. If you visit the site take only photos and pay attention to where you walk. The ruins are becoming extremely unstable. The mill site is a good place to take a break for coffee if you brought some, and enjoy the views. The Animas and Uncompahgre Rivers, the Lake Fork of the Gunnison and Henson Creek all have their headwaters within a mile of this area. Returning to the main Engineer Road (watch your suspension if you take the creek) make a right turn to continue up the pass.

About a mile past the public toilets there is a sign at an intersection. Left goes up Engineer Pass, a right will take you to Cinnamon Pass, Animas Forks and Silverton. The Engineer Pass road begins to turn up the mountain at this point. About 3/4 mile past the turn off for Animas Forks an unmarked road on the right will lead up to the top of Yvonne Pass. Yvonne is a dead end for 4 wheelers. Keep to the left on Engineer which begins to switch back up Engineer Mountain. This section of the road can be interesting in early spring due to mud holes.

About 2 1/4 miles up from the Animas Forks turnoff is an overlook and parking area on the left. Take some time to stop there and enjoy the views. Watch the mud driving into the overlook in wet conditions.

Returning to the main road, the summit is about 1/4 mile further up the mountain. The pass is at 12,800 feet. Proceeding east you will enter American Flats. Look carefully for evidence of the remains of the mining settlement known as Engineer City.

Approximately 3 ½ miles east of the summit is a sign for Rose's Cabin. If you follow the road past Rose's Cabin, a narrow road across the creek leads to the Galconda Mine.

Rose's Cabin was actually a hotel and saloon which served travelers taking the Engineer Road. The building was torn down in 1950. The balance of the Engineer Road is suitable for 2wd vehicles. Continuing east you will pass the site of Capitol City and then the remains of the Ute-Ulay Mine in Henson. Continuing on, you'll arrive in Lake City, which is the Hinsdale County seat.

Lake City is a great little town. Stop in some of the small shops, visit the Hinsdale County Museum, or have lunch at Mammy's Restaurant. You can return to Ouray via Cinnamon Pass and complete the Alpine Loop.

Engineer Pass Photo Gallery