Alpine Loop

[MarkEva]

I want to do the Alpne Loop this Summer. Drive to Lake City Sunday July 5th, spend 3 days driving the loop and drive home Thursday the 9th. Anyone want to join me? The trail days are all week days so it won't be so crowded. I've never done it and would love some advice here.
Thanks,
Mark Evans

 

[Corbet]

I’d still plan on it being crowded that week despite the reports I’m getting from clients in the Silverton area regarding summer reservations. Fuel prices are taking their toll on those who burn fuel as primary recreation. Heads up it was $6 per gallon in Silverton on Friday.

I’d get an early start to try to get ahead of the initial daily wave, if leaving from a town that day. Lots of spurs to camp in if you want off the main route. Best to find a campsite earlier in the day than late.

Full disclosure, the vast majority of us avoid the Alpine Loop down here. We generally explore the less used spur roads when we wheel in the Alpine Loop vicinity. I’m not trying to discourage you, it’s a cool route but solitude it generally will not deliver. Many do it in a day. That’s a lot of trail to cover in traffic, I don’t recommend that.

 

[Inukshuk]

I've never done it and would love some advice here.

Sounds like a great plan! Alpine loop trips were some of my earliest great Colorado trips. Like Corbet said, many side loops to explore and you will have plenty of time to do it. I led the Alpine Loop Run at FJ Summit a few times - did it all in a day!
Check MVUM for camping. Naturally your rig is minimal footprint so its easy.
Sure, there will be some traffic but most parts have passing room, just not up near the summits.
Pop into Silverton for a meal if you can. Its a tourist trap but still cool.

 

[Corbet]

Currently the best for in Silverton is "Osteria Restaurant and Wine Bar" reservations probably prudent. Otherwise I'm a Golden Block Brewery or Lace Rose Saloon kind of guy.

 

[nakman]

I do the Alpine Loop every year, Mark. I lead it for 8 years or so during the Hundreds in the HIlls events, and I still lead it each year for Cruisers in the Rockies, this year will be #6. Would be glad to tell you about it, where to camp, where to swim, where to poop... hit me up anytime perhaps at an upcoming club event?

my record is 4.5 hours, Silverton to Silverton. Up past the ski area, then Hurricaine, California, Engineer, lunch at Lake San Cristobal, back over Cinnamon, down along the Animas river. Usually it's more like 6-7 hours... doing it in 3 days sounds like a great pace though.