Cinnamon Pass is a 4x4 road in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado

Cinnamon Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.853m (12,640ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Hinsdale and San Juan counties, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Cinnamon Pass

Where is Cinnamon Pass in Colorado?

The pass is located in the southwestern part of Colorado, within the San Juan National Forest. The first road through the pass was built in the late 1800s during the Colorado Gold Rush.

Can you drive to Cinnamon Pass in Colorado?

The entirely unpaved road to the summit is called Cinnamon Pass Road. Part of the historic Alpine Loop, it is one of Colorado's most scenic offroad drives. The other half of the loop is Engineer Pass Road. A 4WD high-clearance vehicle is required. The summit hosts a parking lot. In summers, this popular trail can be very busy.

How difficult is Cinnamon Pass in Colorado?

The road is moderately challenging with steep and rocky terrain that can be extremely tough in wet conditions. It’s a narrowing shelf road primarily used for off-road driving. With a length of 19.5 miles (31 km), the road can be challenging for people scared of drop-offs. The ascent from the west side features steep and rocky terrain that can be extremely tough in wet conditions. East of the summit, the drive is easier, but an off-road, high-clearance vehicle is still required. Both sides of the pass have sections of narrow shelf road, which makes passing oncoming vehicles difficult.

Is Cinnamon Pass open in Colorado?

Set high in the San Juan mountains, the pass is usually open from late May through October, depending on snow depths and damage from spring runoff.