4-wheel drive Jeeping
Lake City, Colorado
The third week of September marked the time for 20 students from CCU to head to southern Colorado and enjoy the Alpine Loop—a 57 mile jeep road that goes over three passes and climbs to 13,000 feet. The trip features over 30 ghost towns, mining ruins, waterfalls, wildlife, as well as scenic views from Cinnamon Pass at 12,600 feet, and Engineer pass at 13,000 feet.
The day began with a breakfast burrito and a devotion at the Lake City bakery. We then headed out of town toward the Alpine Loop via a trip past Lake San Cristobal in rented Jeep Wranglers. Boasting six fourteeners and countless mountains over 13,000 feet, this area is mountainous and the terrain quickly turns into rough roads and steep inclines. The first notable area we stopped was Burrows Park where the post office and hotel of Argentum are still standing from their roots in 1875. Here, six of our students from Redcloud Residence Hall took off to enjoy the day hiking up Redcloud Mountain, 14,034 feet.
Heading upward and onward, the five-jeep caravan headed toward Cinnamon Pass passing the famous Tabasco Mine, owed by the New Orleans hot sauce company. The tram from atop Cinnamon pass to the mine for carrying ore is still visible down the valley. Cresting the 12,600 foot pass, the group headed on towards lunch in Silverton, stopping at the large mining ruins of Animas Forks. At 11,160 feet, the town boomed in 1880 with a summer crew of over 400 men and printed the highest newspaper in the nation.
Lunch and shopping in Silverton took us into the early afternoon and then we began the trip back into the mountains to climb 6,000 feet to Engineer pass. At 13,000 feet, this pass features “Oh My” Point where you can see a 360-degree view of the San Juan Mountains, and on a good day, three states. The trip ended in Lake City again, at Poker Alice’s with pizza and a retelling of the views, fellowship, and driving hazards conquered during the day. When all is said and done, a little piece of you is left between the late 1800’s and the peaks of Lake City.
~Jim McCormick
There is no better way to experience life in CO than with fellow classmates through Best of CO. The price is right and the relationships that are built on these trips last. I got to know people that I might have never had the opportunity to talk to. Each day started with a devotion and every moment filled with adventure. If time allows I will be on every trip. Hope to see you all there. Space is limited, so dont wait to sign up.
~Bryan Etkie
