Is it right for you?
Engineer Mountain is a small rocky cone above Engineer Pass, between Silverton and Lake City. From the road it's a very short climb, and it pairs naturally with Seigal Mountain along the same ridge.
You walk up an old 4WD track to a saddle, then follow the ridge west on tundra to a short pile of rubble at the top. It is Class 2 and easy enough for small kids who can handle a little rubble.
The round trip is about 1.5 miles with 630 feet of gain. Adding Seigal Mountain makes it about 4 miles and 1,315 feet. For a longer, more interesting climb, both peaks can also be reached from the Henson Creek side by Palmetto Gulch, Redcloud Gulch or Hurricane Basin.
Plan of the day
By 8 a.m.
Be off the ridge before afternoon storms.
The short rubble summit cone.
Easy. Follow the track to the saddle, then the ridge west.
None on the route. Carry what you need.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,225'…—
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Afternoon storm risk is the line that matters. Everything else is comfort. In summer, plan to be off the ridge before the build-up starts, not as it starts. Forecast for the summit point, adjusted for its elevation · data from Open-Meteo.
Getting there
Engineer Pass Road switchback
From Silverton, drive east through town. One block past the courthouse, where the pavement splits, bear right onto County Road 2 (the Alpine Loop). It's well-graded dirt (paved for the first 2 miles) for 4.2 miles to Howardsville, then 4.3 miles more to the old Eureka site. Past Eureka the road switches to the river's west bank and gets rougher on a steeper shelf section through a narrow canyon.
Stay on the main road past the Picayne Gulch road and both turnoffs for Animas Forks. About 2.5 miles farther, Forest Road 878 goes left; don't take it. Keep going toward Engineer Pass. Here the road gets steep, and a 4WD with good clearance is required. Park out of the way at the fourth switchback. Road conditions change, so check before you go.
From Lake City, take County Road 20 up Henson Creek to Engineer Pass, go around the west side of Engineer Mountain, and start down toward Silverton. Park at the first switchback. There's camping on both sides of the pass area.
Base towns and camping for this climb
Coming from out of state? See Lodging & Camping for how free camping works, what is closed this year and where to stay.
Before you go
Check these the week of your climb.
Official forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for the summit area, hour by hour. Look for thunderstorm chances and wind above treeline.
NWS point forecast →Directions to the trailhead
Engineer Pass Road switchback. Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Get directions →Roads and highways
Closures, construction and winter conditions on the highways that get you there.
COtrip road conditions →Closures and fire rules
Trail closures, fire bans and other alerts from the Forest Service in Colorado. For the latest on your trailhead, call the local ranger district.
Forest Service alerts →Snow on the route?
From fall through early summer, any snow slope can slide. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.
Avalanche forecast →Cell signal
Most trailheads and many summits have little or no signal. Check coverage near the trailhead and carry a satellite messenger or beacon if you can.
FCC coverage map →