Drive the Alpine Loop in a Day

Thanks for watching this local guide to the Alpine Loop in Colorado. The ancestral home of the Ute and Navajo people. In fact, “Ouray” (a nearby town) is actually Chief Ouray’s name - he was the leader of the Tabagauche Ute tribe. Support my channel - buy me a backcountry coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/megintheforest I don't accept sponsored gear or trips. I don't hawk courses. And I don't gatekeep information. My mission is to tell my story completely for free. This channel is completely funded by me. If you do choose to drive the Alpine Loop in your own vehicle, you’ll want multiple days (2-3 nights) to do the entire loop. Camping is only available in designated sites. There are no services (bring everything you will need, and pack it out!). Sites do fill up quickly on weekends and holidays, so keep that in mind. If you’re going via side by side, you’ll want to bring a buff or headband and clear goggles or sunglasses to protect your face - it’s dusty out there! Dangerous afternoon thunderstorms are a daily problem in the summer, so bring rain gear and don’t exit your vehicle during a thunderstorm high in the mountains. Lightening can - and does - strike! These notes are LOADED with resources to help you experience the Alpine Loop like a local, not a tourist. So check them out below! As always, visit wild spaces responsibly! Always pack out your trash including water bottles, fruit peels, toilet paper, and anything else you bring with you. Leave only footprints. Follow all closures, fire bans, drone regulations, and dog rules (dogs must be leashed). Follow me… Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Aforestfox/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foxintheforestblog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megintheforest/ ✨ Additional Resources ✨ The local’s Guide to the Alpine Loop: https://bit.ly/4a8Bmoz The Secrets of Engineer Pass Revealed: https://bit.ly/engineerpassco Things to do near the Alpine Loop: The Local Guide to Ouray, Colorado: https://bit.ly/meetouray Top Ouray Hikes You Don’t Want to Miss: https://bit.ly/ourayhikes The Local Guide to the Ice Lake Basin Hike: https://bit.ly/icelakecolorado Don’t Miss the Ouray via Ferrata: https://bit.ly/ourayviaferrata The Million Dollar Highway will leave your jaw on the ground: https://bit.ly/localguidemilliondollarhighway Yankee Boy Basin is Drop Dead Gorgeous: https://bit.ly/yankeeboybasin Practice Leave No Trace: https://bit.ly/leaveitbetterthanufoundit Hiking Safely in Colorado: https://bit.ly/cohikingtips Discover more about visiting Colorado like a local: The Ultimate Interactive Guide to Colorado: https://bit.ly/localcoloradoguide Local Tips: https://bit.ly/localcotips Colorado’s Top Hikes: https://bit.ly/bestcoloradohikes The Prettiest Places in Colorado: https://bit.ly/beautifulcolorado Scenic Drives in Colorado You Can't-Miss: https://bit.ly/coloradoscenicdrives My favorite gear: OR Astroman Sun Hoodie: https://alnk.to/fSiBG9O Skratch Labs Hydration Electrolyte powder: https://amzn.to/3FIFQZn REI Flash 22 Hiking Pack: https://rei.pxf.io/JKvVaq REI Cork-Grip Hiking Poles: https://rei.pxf.io/POvVZe Freshette Pee Funnel: https://rei.pxf.io/e15EGO Kula Cloth Pee Rag: https://alnk.to/5Q7pLD5 Garmin inReach Mini: https://rei.pxf.io/JKvV0q Gerber Dime Multi-Tool: https://rei.pxf.io/zx5b3r Duece of Spades Toilet Trowel: https://alnk.to/2Qyx6dv Nitecore NU25 400 Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp: https://alnk.to/bEkq8CG SOL emergency bivvy sack: https://rei.pxf.io/7a9Oq3 More incredible gear I love: https://www.amazon.com/shop/megintheforest NOTE These are affiliate links. Meaning I get a small kickback from every purchase, no matter the purchase, at no additional cost to you. This is a small way you can show support for my channel and it means a lot, so thank you! Snag the Colorado Packing List: https://bit.ly/coloradopackinglist About the Photos and Video: Transparency is important to me when it comes to photography. There is Instagram and there is reality. And you should be inspired by BOTH. I intentionally use photos and videos that have been edited for color and lighting, and ones that haven’t. All the photos and videos you see of the Alpine Loop were taken by me. I rarely edit other people out of photos (and I would make a note here if I did!). #coloradoadventure #coloradotravel #colorado #sanjuanmountains #alpineloop #ouray #coloradoatv #atvtrips #offroad #4x4offroad Time stamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:13 - Vehicle requirements and difficulty 00:30 - Best way to drive the Alpine Loop 00:54 - Best time to go 01:04 - Driving direction of the Alpine Loop 01:24 - Lake City, CO 01:39 - Engineer Pass and a secret viewpoint! 02:12 - Things to do nearby 02:23 - What to pack and safety info 02:36 - Blooper