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Trip Report: The Alpine Loop

Discussion in 'Trip Reports' started by cjt93, Sep 25, 2021.

  1. Sep 25, 2021 at 1:20 PM
    #1
    cjt93

    cjt93 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2018
    Member:
    #19461
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    3
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    Male
    First Name:
    CJ
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2018 Cement Tundra TRD Off-Road
    Pop & Lock, Husky Xact floor mat, premium Line-X bed liner, Bakflip g2
    I had the opportunity to check off a bucket list item on a road trip w/my dad to Wyoming this year - the Alpine Loop. We made this trip in a stock 2018 Limited w/TRD off-road package. That means

    275/65/18 Michelin AT tires
    OEM skid plates
    Sidesteps
    Blue/yellow Bilstein suspension

    It took us the entire day going VERY slowly (cautious driver here) and stopping at many of the mining ruins to complete the entire loop starting from Silverton going clockwise through Animus Forks -> Engineer Pass -> Lake City -> Cinnamon Pass -> Silverton. We purposefully started at Silverton to avoid the more technical segment between Ouray and Engineer (Mineral Creek).

    Highly recommend stopping to explore Animus Forks on the west side of the loop.

    1000.jpg
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    The "road" leading north to Engineer Pass was in my opinion the most technical of the route. Steep in some parts, but I stayed in 4-hi most of the time. Traction was never an issue as weather was perfect. There was one obstacle that I was uncomfortable with on this segment - a couple of rock ledges that required some careful throttle control to overcome. I was concerned about the long wheel base over this one, but the Tundra, with the exception of a couple of scrapes of the sidesteps against the rocks, had no issue. Clearly the driver was the limiting factor!

    The top of Engineer pass brought some pretty incredible views and photo ops. Make sure to detour to Odom Point just prior to Engineer Pass.
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    IMG_2115.jpg

    We found the route from Engineer Pass down to Lake City rather tedious due to lots of washboards & rocks. First section down from the pass as marvelously open and scenic. Even with airing down to 24 psi and relatively little traffic (despite passing by several trailheads for 14ers), it took a couple of hours to make it to Lake City. Most of the mining ruins on the loop seem to be on this northern segment of the loop.
    IMG_2125.jpg IMG_2140.jpg

    After stopping for lunch in Lake City, we continued on towards Cinnamon Pass. We found the southern segment to be busier due to the Handies Peak trailhead, but the overall route to be faster & less technical. The "road" eventually branches toward either American Basin or Cinnamon Pass (4x4 recommended for both), where it starts switchbacking pretty aggressively. I found that I needed to make a couple of 3-point turns on some of these switchbacks on the east side of Cinnamon Pass, but overall, nothing the truck couldn't handle. The tightest switchbacks of the entire loop were on the east side of Cinnamon Pass.

    1000-3.jpg 1000-1.jpg

    Heading down into Animus Forks again and Silverton, I primarily used 4-lo to keep the strain off of the brakes.

    Conclusion - In a land dominated by Wranglers & Polaris Razrs (those things are like cheat codes!), the Tundra did just fine. Stock. Would I have appreciated the extra error margin provided by larger tires or better skids/sliders or improved suspension/ground clearance or a locking rear diff? Absolutely! But the Alpine Loop is well within the capabilities of this truck. I had 2 good scrapes of the sidesteps against rocks, but no damage. In fact, we were back on pavement shortly afterwards heading toward Montrose with no change in how it drove.

    Alpine Loop - Tundra - 202-.jpg

    GAIA
     
  2. Sep 25, 2021 at 1:33 PM
    #2
    Squatting Pigeon

    Squatting Pigeon Squattingpigeon.com Staff Member

    Joined:
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    Holden
    North Texas
    Vehicle:
    GR Corolla
    I did the same run back in August, it was beautiful!
     
  3. Dec 23, 2023 at 5:42 AM
    #3
    b6graham

    b6graham New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2023
    Member:
    #105979
    Messages:
    242
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2020 Voodoo Blue 1794 TRD OR
    Planning on this once or twice later in the year, adding Imogene and the CO BDR up to BV and Gypsum
     
  4. Jan 14, 2024 at 12:25 PM
    #4
    CMTX 1794

    CMTX 1794 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2023
    Member:
    #105744
    Messages:
    68
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sheb
    Vehicle:
    2018 Silver 1794 edition 4x4
    Soon
    I have GOT to get up there and try this out. I'm in a similar boat with a pretty much stock Tundra. Just a level kit to clear the larger tires on the factory 20's. I want to get off the road in Colorado, but don't want to get TOO technical or difficult. Just want to see some of the natural beauty our amazing country has to offer. Awesome stuff.
     

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