Mineral Creek
Distance
7.1 mi one-way
Time
Plan on a half day with the Engineer leg
Difficulty
Difficult
The west-to-east gateway into the Alpine Loop, starting on US-550 just south of Ouray — not Silverton, which is a common mix-up worth getting right before you go looking for the turnoff. Mineral Creek climbs roughly 1,500 ft in the first 2.5 miles, runs a picturesque shelf section, crosses a stream, and delivers you to the Engineer Pass and Poughkeepsie Gulch junctions. It is the most technical route in our Friday and Saturday rotation: the trail's own guide warns of multiple rock obstacles that will have you pausing to pick a line, plus narrow sections where oncoming traffic is a genuine problem. In a full-size truck, that narrowness is the thing to respect.
Highlights
- •Climbs ~1,500 ft in the first 2.5 miles
- •Picturesque shelf road section
- •Michael Breen Mine remnants
- •Stream crossing and dispersed camping along the way
- •The western gateway to Engineer Pass and Poughkeepsie Gulch
- •12,068-ft high point
Access & Permits
No permit required. Split jurisdiction — GMUG National Forests (Ouray Ranger District) and BLM (Gunnison Field Office), official road CR-18. Listed as open year round, but that applies to the lower road: trip reports have people snowed in around six miles up, below the Engineer climb.
Terrestrial Armor Recommended
The Tesla Cybertruck Terrestrial Armor kit is strongly recommended for this trail. This includes underbody skid plates and protection for critical components. Stock trucks can attempt with extreme caution and experienced spotters.